ON the day she was supposed to go for her first exam, English first additional language paper 1, her epileptic brother experienced a seizure.
Writing in the next hour, Busisiwe Mahlangu (17) had to ensure that her brother was okay before she headed to the exam room.
And although this disturbed her, she sat down to write.
Despite the hiccups, she aced the subject.
Busisiwe from Kenneth Masikela Secondary in KwaThema, Ekurhuleni, obtained five distinctions in geography, life sciences, Zulu, English and tourism.
She said having a brother who always needs the family's attention encouraged her to venture into the medical career.
Busisiwe will be pursuing nursing studies at the university of her choice.
"My passion is to care for the sick and living with a brother who has epilepsy motivated me to consider a medical," she said.
Kenneth Masekela Secondary obtained position one in KwaThema schools.
The high school obtained an 89,4% matric pass rate.
Acting principal Glory Jiyane said extra classes in winter and September, as well as more hard work, made her school come out on top.
She said her school did well despite service delivery protests, load shedding, water cuts and an unstable school management team.
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Also celebrating the fruit of their hard work were three pupils from Zimisele Secondary, also in KwaThema.
Khensani Lekula (17) obtained six distinctions in mathematics, accounting, business studies, Zulu, English first additional language, and life orientation and ran short of two marks to attain distinction in economics. She said she can't wait to pursue her studies and has a bursary waiting for her.
Another achiever is Banele Mabaso (17), who achieved five distinctions in mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, geography, and English first additional language.
Banele said the challenge in his Barcelona, KwaThema, is the high crime rate.
"We were robbed several times in school uniforms by armed tsotsis. I also saw my friends' cellphones being taken at knifepoint, and that experience used to traumatise me in the classroom," he said.
But despite these challenges, he made it. He's going to study engineering at Wits University.
His message to the class of 2024 is: "Work hard, start now because matric is a short year."
Another top achiever is Qiniso Ndlovu (18), who lost his mum in 2020 during Covid-19.
Instead of sinking into depression, he said the loss fueled him to work hard from that grade until matric.
He obtained four distinctions and plans to study dentistry at Wits University this year.
He obtained distinctions in mathematics, life sciences, physical sciences, and geography.
Principal Thembinkosi Msimango said he was unhappy that his school dropped from position one to sixth.
"Our results were compromised by progressed pupils. We often try our best to give all the support they need, but their parents are letting us down by not pushing them to attend extra classes."
