MELISSA MULLER (18) from Rhenish Girls’ High School in the Western Cape is the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric top achiever.
This was announced on Thursday night, 18 January, at Fairlands in Joburg during the ministerial matric result announcement.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced the results at the same event.
Melissa said she came out on top due to years of hard work.
“I think it was just hard work of many years, developing a work ethic and working consistently. I think these are resources at your disposal, your friends and family being supportive all the time."
Melissa said she ran out of words to describe how she was feeling.
“I have no words at the moment. I’m still in disbelief. It still hasn’t sunk in yet."
Muller wants to study mechatronics engineering at the University of Cape Town.
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She said she had no plans of being the number one matric pupil in the country, beating almost 900 000 pupils who set for final examination in 2023.
There were 897 775 full-time and part-time candidates enrolled in the 2023 NSC examinations.
Muller was doing life sciences, accounting, mathematics, physical sciences, Afrikaans first additional language, English home language and life orientation.
She advised the class of 2024 to persevere and work hard.
“Enjoy your year. It’s going to be a jam-packed year. It’s going to get overwhelming. As I said now, you have a support system, your family, and ask for help when you need it. Stay up to date with your schoolwork because it helps you identify problem areas early on, which will help you avoid the stress of cramming the night before your exam because your teachers are there to help you, and they do if you ask them.
“Her father, Andre, said his daughter's achievement didn’t come overnight.
“As parents, we created an environment that she can flourish under and assist her with emotional ups and downs, making it easy for her to achieve and realise her full potential, but is something that comes over many years it’s not something that comes at the beginning of grade 12.
“At this point, it’s no longer about us we can create the environment for her but is about her desire to succeed. She has been extremely dedicated and focused and it’s up to her at the end," he said.
