Teen Excels with Seven Distinctions in Matric

Owethu Tswarelo Buthelezi (17) from Stintile Secondary School achieved second place in the provincial matric top 10 rankings, earning an impressive seven distinctions. Reflecting on his success, Owethu said he was proud of his accomplishment and had always hoped to be among the province’s top achievers.

“I have always been a dedicated and disciplined learner. I would go to school at 07:00 and get back home at 19:00. I also joined study groups and study camps, where we would study almost the whole day without distractions,” he shared.

Owethu consistently excelled in his academics, obtaining distinctions in all his subjects since Grade 10. His dedication and study habits proved instrumental in his remarkable performance.

“Being part of the provincial top achievers was a great moment for me. I couldn’t believe it since there are so many learners in the province,” he said. “This accomplishment showed me that when you pour into other people’s cups, God will pour into yours. My study method was to explain schoolwork to my friends. That way, I was revising while also helping someone else understand.”

Dreams of Becoming a Surgeon

Owethu plans to pursue a career in medicine at the University of Cape Town, a lifelong aspiration inspired by Dr. Christiaan Barnard, the South African surgeon who performed the first human-to-human heart transplant.

“I aspire to become a surgeon. I’ve always wanted to do this since I was young,” he said.

His matric subjects included physical science, life sciences, and accounting. While physical science initially stood out as his favorite, Owethu decided to treat all his subjects equally, which helped him maintain high performance across the board.

“At first, physical science was my favorite subject, but I learned that making all my subjects my favorites would help me perform well,” he explained.

Advice to the Class of 2025

Owethu offered valuable advice to the upcoming matriculants, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and consistent effort.

“Matric is a lot of work, but it is not meant to be done alone. You need all the support you can get, including study groups, teachers, and tutors. Always double-check the information you source from online tutors with your teachers, and use examination guidelines and past question papers to see how the papers are set,” he said.

Owethu’s story is a testament to the power of dedication, discipline, and teamwork in achieving academic excellence. His determination and willingness to help others along the way exemplify the qualities of a true leader and future medical professional.