Against the odds, teen living with ADHD excels and bags seven distinctions in matric
A 17-year-old pupil from Vosloorus in Gauteng has overcome the challenges of living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which often leads to having difficulty in paying attention, to achieve seven distinctions in the 2025 matric examinations.
Ashley Lethabo Faith Erasmus, a former Grade 12 learner at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, achieved distinctions in English Home Language, Sesotho First Additional Language, Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation, Dramatic Arts, History and Business Studies.
Erasmus said her love for education was shaped by her family and community, which provided a foundation that extended far beyond the classroom.
“Growing up in Vosloorus, I saw firsthand how limited access to opportunity can shape people’s futures,” she said.
“Education was never treated as optional in my home. It was understood as a responsibility and a lifeline.”
She credited her grandmother, who supports many people despite limited resources, with teaching her the meaning of sacrifice.
“Watching her put others first instilled in me a deep sense of accountability and purpose,” Erasmus said.
She added that her community constantly reminded her of the importance of education.
“I saw peers with immense potential derailed by circumstances, not a lack of intelligence. That reality motivated me to work harder, not only for myself, but to prove that background does not determine destiny. Every achievement felt communal.”
Erasmus described the 2025 academic year as intense, demanding and transformative.
“Academically, the workload was heavy and the expectations were high. Emotionally, it was a year of pressure, self-doubt and constant reflection,” she said.
“There were moments when the weight of being a matric learner, a leader and an individual with personal struggles felt overwhelming. However, it was also a year of growth.”
She said the experience taught her that excellence is not about perfection but about consistency.
“I learned how to sit with discomfort and keep going. The year forced me to develop discipline, time management and emotional resilience. It stripped away any illusion that success comes easily and replaced it with a deep respect for effort and perseverance.”
Erasmus said English Home Language and History were her favourite subjects because they allowed her to think critically and engage with the world beyond the classroom.
“As a debater, I gravitated towards subjects that value critical thinking, argument and perspective,” she said.
She acknowledged that managing focus and workload was challenging due to her ADHD diagnosis.
“I had to learn how my mind works rather than force myself into systems that did not serve me,” she said.
“I improved by building structure into my routine, breaking work into manageable parts and asking for help without shame. I stopped seeing struggle as failure and started seeing it as feedback.”
She said balancing academic pressure, leadership responsibilities and personal wellbeing was one of her greatest challenges.
“Having served as deputy president the previous year, the expectations did not disappear in matric,” she said.
“There were also moments of financial and emotional strain at home. Overcoming these challenges required honesty with myself, setting boundaries and accepting that rest is not laziness, but survival.”
Erasmus admitted there were moments when she felt like giving up.
“In those moments, what pushed me through was remembering my ‘why’ – the sacrifices made for me and the girl from Vosloorus who dreamed of opportunity,” she said.
She credited her teachers, family, friends and school environment for their unwavering support.
“My teachers believed in my potential even when I doubted myself. My family provided emotional grounding, and my friends became a source of strength,” she said.
Erasmus said when results were released, she was confident in her performance.
“Being named dux scholar at our valedictory ceremony affirmed the consistency of my work throughout the year,” she said.
When she learned of her achievement, she described the moment as both surreal and emotional.
“It felt like confirmation that the effort, discipline and resilience had counted,” she said.
“The achievement felt larger than me. It represented possibility for other young people from similar backgrounds.”
Erasmus plans to study law in 2026, with the long-term goal of specialising in cybersecurity and ethics.
“As artificial intelligence and digital technologies evolve rapidly, the legal system must evolve alongside them,” she said.
“I am interested in working at the intersection of law, technology and ethics, particularly around data privacy, algorithmic bias and digital inequality.”
She hopes to contribute to legal frameworks that protect people while allowing responsible technological progress.
Her advice to the matric class of 2026 is simple: trust consistency over bursts of motivation.
“Excellence is built in ordinary moments,” she said.
“Ask for help early, protect your mental health and do not underestimate your potential. Your circumstances do not define your ceiling.”
The Matric of 2025 has obtained 88% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate exams.
The Independent Examinations Board reported an overall pass rate of 98.3% for the 2025 NSC examinations.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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