Even though the Class of 2022 spent the final two and a half years of their education through occasional COVID-19 lockdowns, school closures, and other obstacles, such as curriculum reduction, they nonetheless emerged successful.
The majority of this cohort’s top performers concur that the pandemic and the continual load shedding were their greatest challenges. Against this, they dug deep to maintain motivation, worked tirelessly, and were determined to reach the top despite all difficulties.
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, honoured the best learners during a ceremony held at the Mosaiek Church in Fairlands, Johannesburg, on Thursday.
This year, two girls, Kelly Grace Prowse from Rustenburg Girls High in the Western Cape and Husnaa Haffeje from Al-Falaah College in KwaZulu-Natal, emerged as the country’s best students overall.
Kelly Grace Prowse, the 2022 overall NSC top learner for public schools, told a news source that the experience was strange. Prowse, age 18, is the highest achiever in Mathematics, the highest achiever in quintile 5 schools, and the highest achiever overall in the nation.
“It’s surreal. I am absolutely thrilled by it all. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet but I feel ecstatic. It is absolutely insane to be one of the overall top achievers. I did not expect this at all. I did know that I will receive an award but I did not expect this at all,” Prowse said.
Prowse said that she did not always know she would come out on top, but that she has always put in 110% effort in her academics, being driven by others who came before her.
“I didn’t always know but when I was in Grade 8 in 2018, the overall top achiever came from my school. So having watched her, I thought, if she can do it, I can do it.
“So I think that was definitely a good sign that it is possible. I have always hoped for it so I put a lot of work and effort into what I do and I am glad that it’s all paid off,” she said.
The top student said that her two elder brothers really assisted her, since she was able to observe how they dealt with Matric.
Prowse also praised her parents for their consistent support.
Regarding the difficulties posed by the pandemic, the top student said that COVID-19 impacted the whole nation. She considered herself fortunate to have access to online education, which nonetheless needed “a lot of self-motivation.”
“When coming to matric, it was clear that our foundations were slightly rocky because of the pandemic, but with the help of teachers and working by myself to ensure that I’m on top of my work really paid off.
“Another big challenge I faced was motivation, trying to not reach the level of burnout. Matric is an unbelievably long year with many sets of exams, so trying to stay motivated throughout all of those was hard. Again, just staying passionate about what you’re doing and what you’re learning was slightly challenging,” she said.
Prowse said that she intends to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town this year.
She told the Class of 2023 to take it easy, concentrate on their academics, and enjoy what they are doing most of all.
“To the Class of 2023, take it easy. It’s a long year. Just do your best and be consistent and pace yourself. For the most part, enjoy it. It is your final [school] year,” the top learner said.