Lesetja Malope
When Education MEC Dickson Masemola announced Mbilwi Secondary School matriculant, Mukhethwa Murodovha to be the best learner in the province, he seemed more humbled by the standing ovation from the many dignitaries in the packed venue than surprised by the accolade.
The devout Christian teenager from Dzanani Township in Vhembe district has always been an exceptional academic achiever and though in an interview with Polokwane Observer he said he was surprised at being named the best in the province, the reception he was given when he took the stage to accept his award seemed more humbling to him.
"I only found out on the day like everyone else. I was also surprised," Murodovha said.
He comes from a family of five and credits his parents’ continuous encouragement and his pastor’s motivation with the achievement.
"I have always been an A student. I was always in the top ten academic achievers in every school I went to," he said.
Murodovha went to Hillside Combined School and Balalila Primary School before heading to Mbilwi Secondary School.
"My parents had a very big influence on my academic performance because they encouraged and bought me all sorts of study material.
So did Apostle T S Netshiongolwe of the church El-Shaddai Christian Centre by prayers and motivation," he added.
The soft-spoken Murodovha, who is also among the best five learners in the country, also acknowledged his former school principal, Mr Nyambeni Lidzhade.
"Our principal was so straight forward with what he wanted and used to say: "We need the top learner of the province from our school since we are a top school."
As the top learner in my grade I had a lot of pressure to study harder to maintain the good reputation of my school," he said. Murodvha managed to get distinctions in all his subjects including being the fourth best learner in English and achieving total marks in Physical Science, making him one of only 10 learners to achieve the feat in the entire province.
His favourite subject is Mathematics and will head to the University of Cape Town to study Actuarial Science. "There are few qualified actuaries in our country because many people find it too challenging."
"I am going to study at UCT because it is the best university in Africa and since a lot of bright students go there I should go there to meet others like me who really love studying and education," he said of his plans.
He concluded with some wise advise for this year’s matriculants. "I advise the 2012 matriculants to study a lot and they should start studying as early as possible to be sure that they will make it.
"Show hard work, discipline and dedication and manage your time well. Don’t allow anyone to tell you that you cannot excel in a particular subject but believe in yourself and do things that people say are impossible."