Class of 2021: Kingsway High School matriculant bags first place in KZN
KwaZulu-Natal's top matric achiever of 2021 says he was shocked to hear he had placed first in the province after fighting Covid-19 and missing some of his trials.
Eighteen-year-old Cade Sayner from the Kingsway High School in Amanzimtoti achieved seven distinctions in his National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
He scored 90 percent and above on all his subjects, including 99 percent for Maths and Physics and 98 percent for Accounting.
Sayner spoke to Newswatch at the provincial matric awards ceremony taking place at the Anton Lembede Science Academy in La Mercy, north of Durban.
He says the pandemic proved a challenge for the class of 2021.
"From Grade 11 specifically, we missed out so much in terms of the syllabus that we had to then go and redo in Grade 12, which was really difficult.
"I personally had Covid during trials, so I missed out like five exams and I had to go and rewrite them. It was a nightmare, but likely I pulled through and I am very happy that something worked, and I think I learnt that I can do it, if you really apply yourself, anything is possible."
Iman Khan from Port Shepstone Secondary School says the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed her to pursue medicine.
"Medicine has always been my passion but I feel like under the recent circumstances with Covid I find myself even drawn to it , being in the frontline saving lives."
The 18-year-old placed second in KZN, bagging distinctions with 100% for Accounting and 99% for Maths.
She has this advice for the new matrics who'll be sitting for their finals later this year.
"I think you just have to keep working hard, never lose focus. Although it's tough without contact classes, you just have to believe in yourself, try to understand as much as possible and I think that's what really got me through the year."
