NHLANGANO – Phiwakwandze Simelane, a 16-year-old pupil at Evelyn Baring High School, has secured the first position countrywide.
Simelane, who is enrolled in the school’s four-year programme, expressed her ambition to become a forensic pathologist, noting her strength in the Sciences and English.
Currently undertaking her AS-levels at the same institution, she attributed her success to a journey that began with intense focus during Grade 10.
Her strategy involved dedicated study periods, frequently seeking guidance from her teachers and strictly limiting her time on mobile phones, social media and television.
Despite her achievement, the pupil admitted she was not expecting to rank so highly, marking this as the first time she has topped the national charts. While no official rewards were promised, she expressed a wish for a new mobile phone.
Her mother, Thembekile Simelane, a teacher at Nyamane High School, shared her excitement, noting that while she prayed for her daughter’s success, the top ranking was a pleasant surprise.
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Takhona overcomes challenges, secures 2nd position
NHLANGANO – Takhona Sihle Nsibande, 17, secured the second position countrywide.
Originally from Zombodze Emuva and currently residing at Siphumelele Township, Takhona hopes to become a cardiac surgeon.
While she felt nervous ahead of the results, she was confident in her performance in subjects such as Siswati, Agriculture, Biology, Religious Education and Mathematics.
Takhona, whose mother passed away when she was in Grade IV, lives with her foster mother while receiving support from her father, a farmer at Zombodze Emuva. She thanked her father for his consistent efforts to pay her school fees despite financial difficulties. Her study routine involved studying from 7:30pm until 11:30pm and again from 3:00 am until 4:30am. She did not own a mobile phone and stopped watching television to focus on her goals.
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Baring’s Lungiswa does it again
NHLANGANO – Lungiswa Sebenele Gadlela, 18, from Bulunga in Manzini, has maintained his streak of excellence by securing first position countrywide in his Form V results.
Lungiswa is no stranger to the top spot, having previously ranked first in the country in Grade VII at Evelyn Baring Primary and again in Form III.
Now pursuing his A-levels, Lungiswa attributed his consistent performance to sacrificing television and social media in favour of studying until midnight.
“I had to sacrifice my TV and social media time to get more time to study and I also had to sacrifice some games,” Lungiswa said. He advised his peers never to give up, noting that while the journey of life has challenges, one must always stand up and continue pushing. He also emphasised the importance of starting studies early to avoid pressure, quoting Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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