From tornado-hit school to UCT: Uthando Mjeso's academic triumph

DESPITE a tornado destroying her school in her crucial Grade 11 year, 18-year-old Uthando Mjeso achieved 8 distinctions in her National Senior Certificate exams.

Her hard work and dedication came to fruition when she matriculated from Seatides Combined School as the top achiever with 8 distinctions and a 86.5% aggregate. 

Now heading to UCT to study actuarial science, she credits her success to consistent hard work and family support.

Uthando has been a diligent pupil for as long as she can remember because she always kept her goals in sight. She said she was looking forward to orientation at the month-end and the experience of living on campus. 

"I applied to the University of the Free State and UCT but I chose the latter," said Uthando.

She decided to venture into this field while in Grade 11. 

Prior to this, she harboured hopes of studying medicine and specialising in neurology after she watched the movie Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story starring Cuba Gooding Jr and Kimberly Elise. The film is based on the autobiography of neurosurgeon, and later politician, Ben Carson, who grew up to be a world famous neurosurgeon at John Hopkins. 

"The movie was inspiring. But I changed my mind about becoming a doctor when I realised many of them were unable to find jobs and there would be more opportunities with actuarial science."

Just as Uthando began to shape her academic future, disaster struck.  A tornado in 2024 wreaked havoc, damaging large parts of her school during her crucial Grade 11 year, a period when marks are pivotal for university applications. 

Despite the disruption and classes shifting to prefabricated units,  Uthando remained focussed.  

"Despite the situation, I worked consistently throughout my matric year. At the start of the year, I studied over weekends and the normal school week was for homework. But closer to the exams, I spent every day, sometimes investing as much as six hours, into my studies. At the back of my mind, I envisioned my goals; getting a job and making my family proud for all their sacrifices."

She said her mother, Mamokete Nyengwa, was her pillar of strength, often sitting with her during late-night study sessions. 

"My dad, Sezile, step dad Zwelile and older sister Dimpho, as well as my teachers and peers also provided me with unconditional support. When I got my results, it was a dream come true, especially for mom, who always dreamed of a higher education. She could not complete her degree. My father finished matric but he did not have the opportunity to go to university."

Drawing from her experiences, Uthando advised this year's batch of matric pupils to remember what their goals were. 

"And remember you are doing this for yourself. You must always push yourself forward independently." 

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