MANDLANZINI youth Minehle Gumede overcame all the odds to achieve six distinctions in the National Senior Certificate examinations.
The 18-year-old Gwejobomvu Secondary School star pupil made extreme lifestyle changes to ensure he scooped distinctions: iSizulu, mathematics, life orientation, engineering graphics design, physical sciences and tourism.
From renting a room closer to school, living with a friend for the third term to study and spending hours in the library, overcoming challenges is something to which Minehle has become accustomed.
An orphan, he lost his mother in 2010 followed by his father in 2014.
Minehle says he repeated Grade 10 because he had initially chosen subjects which did not support his desired career path of industrial or mining engineering.
‘I changed my subject choice and added two additional subjects.
‘Despite facing many challenges I was able to conquer them with the support and motivation of my brother and my peers.
‘I had to make some sacrifices and spent most days at the library because it was too noisy to study at home.
‘As head boy I strove to be an example to my peers and even conducted the physical sciences tutoring at school.
‘Teaching others helped me so much with my own studying.
‘My advice to the matrics of 2017 is to work hard and aim for the stars, because even if you don’t make it you will still land on the moon.
‘My brother encouraged me to prepare for my exams like a marathon athlete, beginning to train from the start of the year.’
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