Admire Gwatinyanya (18), from Nellmapius Secondary in Tshwane South District, is on cloud nine after being named one of the Gauteng province’s top matric achievers for 2025.

This took place during a ceremony hosted in Centurion by the Gauteng Department of Education in partnership with the Telkom Foundation on Tuesday.

Gwatinyanya, who scored six distinctions, credits his success to hard work and perseverance, having overcome challenges last year.

“I would say this is a testimony of hard work, although I found the year to be a bit challenging,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to his parents, friends, teachers and everyone that supported him throughout the year.

He credited his family’s spiritual support, saying: “I’m from a very spiritual family and that really helped me push through.” 

Gwatinyanya’s sights are set on BSc Actuarial Science at Wits University, with dreams of becoming an internationally recognised actuary.

“The journey was not easy but thankfully I made it through,” he said.

Sonia Lakha,18, a matriculant from a Lenasia-based school Shree Bharat Sharda Mandir, also beamed with pride after being named one of the top matric achievers in Gauteng.

“I achieved seven distinctions and I am over the moon. I worked very hard for this. This is thanks to my teachers, friends and my principal that I am able to be here today at the Gauteng top achievers award. All Grace to God. It is with God’s blessings that I am where I am today,” she said, also expressing the intention to study actuarial science at Wits University.

Fenyane Matlakala, a standout learner from Botse Botse High School in Soshanguve, said she was ecstatic for being among the top achievers in the province’s class of 2025 matric learners,

She said she had already set herself a goal of being a top matric achiever while she was doing Grade 11, and she was thrilled to have made it happen.

“I am over the moon, but to be quite honest I was very scared about the outcome of my matric results. I didn’t apply to receive them online, nor did I go to my school to collect the statement because I was unsure I would be here today. I think this is really a surprise that I am here among the Gauteng top achievers,” she said.

She thanked her teachers for being supportive and one unsung hero – Mr Mabena, a general worker at Botse Botse High. 

Matlakala said Mabena has been a rock for her, opening the school gates early, staying late to study with her, and pushing her to chase her accounting science dreams at Wits University.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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