Two Mfuleni residents who were part of the matric class of 2023 were honoured when Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) held an awards ceremony at CPUT main campus on Saturday February 24.
Inga Mhlauli and Avela Vanya were among a group of 50 pupils who had been attending the EMSS at Manzomthombo High School in Mfuleni last year.
They received R15000 plus bursaries for achieving a remarkable matric pass in 2023.
Avela, who attended Mfuleni High School, obtained six distinctions in matric which has set him on the path of realising his dream of becoming a chemical engineer.
He obtained 83% for English, 92% for mathematics and 86% for physical science, enough to secure a place to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT) this year.
He attributes his success to the supplementary classes he attended from Grade 11 at EMSS.
“I am extremely grateful for the extra tuition we received through the Engen sponsored programme as it significantly contributed to my exam preparation, but I just wish classes were held more than once per week.
“The hardest part of matric was the beginning of the year and coming to terms with the realisation that I was in matric,” he said.
For inspiration, he reminds himself that motivation comes from within and he advises this year’s matrics to study smartly.
His secret to getting through the day is living in the moment and his dream for the future is to be successful. “It’s all about securing the bag,” is how he sums it up.
Inga achieved stellar results in his matric year, earning seven distinctions, including 98% in maths, and 89% in both science and English.
An alumnus of Manzomthombo Senior Secondary School, he is poised to study medicine at UCT this year, with ambitions of becoming a neurosurgeon.
He attributes a significant part of his success to EMSS, where he attended supplementary classes every Saturday from Grade 10 to 12.
Highly recommending the programme, he emphasises the supportive environment and excellent student-teacher rapport fostered by EMSS teachers.
Offering valuable advice to this year’s matric pupils, he encourages them to maximise the use of past papers and start studying early to ensure comprehensive content coverage.
Recalling his own challenges, he admits he had to overcome social pressure and disapproval.
He found the June exams, when he had to cover a whole year’s workload in a single term, a tumultuous task.
He credits his academic success to his supportive family, describing them as fun, supportive and culture-oriented.
“You can be whatever you want to be, as long as you are willing to put in the work for it.
“I acknowledge the emotional and psychological support provided by my family during the challenging matric year. I want to be a neurosurgeon and provide healthcare to the public,” he said.
