A former learner (18) from Gobinamba Senior Secondary School in Mthatha, Mpendulo Ndzoyiya, who was the top matric achiever in the Eastern Cape, has promised to “bring light” to his family once he finishes his medical degree at the University of Cape Town.
Ndzoyiya, who represented the Eastern Cape at the national level, last week, said he obtained distinctions in all seven of his subjects.
He said he is the eldest child and has six younger siblings. Nobody in his family is employed, so they all depend on the social grant and on his grandmother’s pension.
“Since I am the firstborn at home, I always feel the pain of seeing my family struggling to make ends meet. It was not easy because sometimes I had to borrow books from my classmates.
“I told myself that, through thick and thin, I would study hard so that I could assist my parents and my six siblings one day.
“I am grateful because today I managed to achieve what I was praying for and I see the light now,” said Ndzoyiya.
He added that he was supported by his family and teachers who kept on pushing him to work hard.
The principal from Gobinamba Senior Secondary School in Mthatha, Phaphamile Gqobo, said they were very happy about what Ndzoyiya had achieved.
Gqobo confirmed that Ndzoyiya was the only one who represented the Eastern Cape nationally.
“It was our first time to have a student who went to national level and we promise that even this year we would do our level best to produce another top achiever. The community of this area is very proud of him,” said Gqobo.
He said even though the year was not easy, having weekend and extra classes had helped the students succeed.
“Even though Ndzoyiya was a hard worker, I am happy to have teachers who are very dedicated in this school, who know what the best is for learners.”
Gqobo was not, however, happy with his school’s overall pass rate of 61,1%.
