KWANOBUHLE matriculant Kamvalethu Hlatshwayo, beat out 46 fellow matriculants at the end of last year to take top spot in the Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) class based at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth
Kamvalethu, who is starting the 4-year journey to achieve a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) at Stellenbosch University this year, says he will tackle the challenges ahead the same way he achieved his incredible success at school.
Achieving 80% for science and 79% for maths, he credits the extra lessons provided by EMSS for his outstanding results, which were enough to ensure he finished 2nd amongst all the learners who wrote the 2018-matric examinations at the 3 EMSS schools based in the Eastern Cape.
“It’s all about hard work, managing your time and your priorities,” says the 18-year-old, whose greatest challenge was not believing in himself at first.
Kamvalethu grew up in KwaNobuhle and attended Solomon Mahlangu High School.
He did not allow the passing of his father in 2012 or subsequent financial constraints to get in the way of studying towards his dream job.
He is, however, adamant that he could never have achieved such academic excellence without the commitment of the Engen programme teachers, who gave him the support he so desperately needed over 3 years from Grade 10 to Grade 12.
Kamvalethu was also inspired by his science teacher, Mr Stuurman, who he says was his mentor even though he might not have been aware of the impact of his advice.
Advice to matrics
Kamvalethu has the following advice for the 2019 matriculants.
“This is your last year in high school. So make it count. Decisions you make this year shall impact your future life. Matric is the foundation of your life, which actually begins after matric,” said Kamvalethu.
In 2018, 532 matriculants from across South Africa benefited from Engen-backed extra classes in English, Maths and Science, achieving an impressive 93% pass rate against the national pass rate of 78.2%. Of these, 67% of the EMSS learners received Bachelor passes against the national average of 43%.
Kamvalethu attended the EMSS centre based at Nelson Mandela University, which is one of three centres in the Eastern Cape (the others are located in East London and Cala). There are 9 EMSS centres in total in South Africa including 1 each in Cape Town and Gauteng, and 4 in KwaZulu-Natal.
Adhila Hamdulay, Engen’s Corporate Social Investment Manager, says the company is delighted to see Kamvalethu get the chance to pursue his bid to become a chemical engineer. – REPORTER
