DURBAN - HER school’s “three-legged-pot balance approach” is what propelled matric top achiever, Nqobile Khuzwayo, towards obtaining seven distinctions in last year’s final exams.
Khuzwayo, 17, is the pride of the Kwenzokuhle High School class of 2021 in Ntuzuma, after achieving distinctions in subjects including maths, physical sciences, and life sciences. She said it was important for her to listen to her voice and be aware of her ambitions, as a means to cope.
“When I started matric a lot of people said a lot of things; some even said it was too difficult but with time I realised that if you pull your socks up and work as hard as you can, one can pull it off.
“With that being said, I started comparing what I was doing in Grade 11 to matric and eliminated the unnecessary things.
“People know what disturbs them in their school work but just will not let it go … There has to be a balance struck. In life there is not a thing that is not important, one cannot say that you will not do schoolwork or your hobbies, and things that you enjoy. Just strike a balance,” Khuzwayo said.
She said teachers aided her work through monetary and moral support, especially at times when she fell ill. She said their support was unwavering, as every pupil was embraced by every teacher.
“Our teachers were a great source of support to us pupils who come from poor families. They gave us schedules to work with after school and on weekends – (it) was important to keep working according to it.
“Teachers would intervene in cases where some of us could not afford money for transport or healthy food in case of extra classes, cross-night studies or camps, and all that is necessary to keep us afloat,” Khuzwayo said.
She added that her former “schoolmates who are now in matric should take time to understand who they are and what they wish to be in the future in order to confront their weaknesses and work on them”.
“Go to the teachers for guidance on subjects and just life in general because they have been on the same journey as you have.”
Saneliwe Simelane, Khuzwayo’s English teacher, said she was very attentive and one of the few pupils who took the “Zulu three-legged-pot balance approach” seriously.
“We introduced our pupils and parents to the approach at the start of the year. It means teacher, pupil and parent have to work together for a successful year in matric.
“So, she took this very seriously, and worked with everyone attentively. This is why teachers were drawn towards her and wanted to help in whatever way possible. We are super proud of her achievement and wish her the very best in her future endeavours. She is our pride and joy,” Simelane said.
Khuzwayo will pursue a degree in medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Daily News