Outstanding Scholar Earns Top Achiever Award for Every Year in High School

Photo Credit: Veronica - Supplied

18-year-old Khazwinake Veronica Munyai, a matriculant from Moletsane Secondary School, was the top achiever in each of her years, from Grade 8 to Matric.

Soweto, South Africa (24 February 2023) – Many young minds growing up in disadvantaged communities, develop a thirst for education that drives and guides them through their high school careers. That was the case for 18-year-old Khazwinake Veronica Munyai who has been a top achiever in her school, since her grade eight year.

Veronica recently matriculated from the Moletsane Secondary School in Soweto. Year after year, she achieved the top marks in her grade and when she finished her final year, her school celebrated her incredible achievement.

Hearing Veronica’s story, we knew it needed to be shared. She is an inspiring young woman whose community saw her potential and together, rallied to make sure her education was a top priority.

We asked her what it felt like to be recognised for all the hard work she has put in over the last five years.

“Truly, I am humbled, and it feels great knowing that my hard work and all my efforts are recognised.”

Veronica was determined to rise above the poverty faced by her family and community at large. She says her driving force to succeed at school, was knowing she would be able to take care of her family and repay her community someday.

“I come from a home where finances have never been a thing not to worry about. Growing up, I knew that I had to take advantage of my academic abilities and use them to shape my future, I knew that I was destined to change my family’s background and I took it upon myself to work excellently no matter the circumstances. My driving force was to become an independent woman who would be able to take care of her family and her community”

Mathematics and Physical Science are two of her favourite subjects. Thankfully, the Moletsane Secondary School has an incredible faculty, including teacher Mr Arthur Shiba, who supports his students through the mathematics curriculum. In addition, the support from companies such as MiWay, the Moletsane Secondary School has the resources to help its students focus on their learning experience, and nurtures educators so they are able to mentor and guide them through tough subjects.

Veronica loved how challenging her favourite subjects were and the fulfilment she felt when she understood what was required of her; she says the lessons changed the way she thought.

There were times when Veronica had the opportunity to lean on her community and the school. The support they offered was unwavering and played a big role in her graduating top of her year. She says, she didn’t navigate the journey without personal challenges either.

“Honestly, there were days when I doubted my abilities, and I couldn’t understand what it was that made everyone have such faith in me, but I took it in and continued to give it my best with the belief that one day I would make everyone proud.

The support of my school, principal, and my community has contributed a lot to my personal development and to my academic journey.I wouldn’t be the person I am without them, so I appreciate them.”

For the diligent student, the future looks bright! Veronica hopes to further her studies in the coming years, to qualify and then one day, to repay the kindness and heart that so many provided for her. She hopes to do this by helping another student.

“My hope for the future is to get a degree and change the background of my family and community. I would also like to extend a hand of assistance to other children who are not privileged enough to get the opportunities that will enable them to have a brighter future.

A lot has been invested in me and it is only right that other people experience what I have experienced”

The same generous spirit and heart are growing within the school. There are so many opportunities for growth at the school and the more we hear about students there, the more hope we have for the future.

Through its MiHeart Project, MiWay aims to offer holistic support to schools to enable learners to be leaders and change-makers in their immediate communities. Moletsane Secondary School is making a difference and it’s inspiring learners to do the same!