Balance is key, says Northern Cape top achiever
“YOU NEED to master the art of balance, and you will be able to excel at anything in life, not just your academics.”
This was the advice of the Northern Cape 2024 Matric Top Achiever, Kutlo Motlhoioa, from Kimberley Technical High School.
Motlhoioa shared that he managed to study effectively by balancing his school work with an extensive list of extra-mural activities. These included serving as deputy head of the school choir, leading the Kids Teaching Kids programme, participating in the Debating Society, and representing his school in Mathematics and Science leadership projects. He also hosted career guidance workshops, spearheaded a Grade 4 reading initiative to address the country’s reading crisis, and was the Dux learner of his school.
Motlhoioa revealed that to prepare for his National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, he utilised various study materials, including social media platforms, to complement his school work.
“Having a study timetable is very important, but I used various materials such as my textbooks and even YouTube to study some subjects. I also had study calls with friends. Most importantly, however, you need to make sure you focus in class and understand the work once the lesson is over,” he explained.
Motlhoioa said he plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
“My plan is to study medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and then I will return to Kimberley and plough my expertise back into the community,” he said with a smile.
Motlhoioa, who also received the award for the best mathematics learner in the Province, revealed that his inquisitiveness led him to fall in love with the subject at a young age.
“I have always loved mathematics and it has been my favourite and top subject since Grade 3. However, I struggled with it during Covid-19 as that was also the period we transitioned from primary school to high school. In Grade 10, I regained that spark for the subject. The fact that I can problem-solve keeps me interested in the subject,” he said.
The Top 20 provincial achievers each received various prizes, including a R100,000 cash award from Kumba Iron Ore, Checkers vouchers, and a learner starter pack sponsored by Old Mutual, which included essential items such as an iron, kettle, and hygiene packs, to start their tertiary careers.
Motlhoioa intends to save most of his winnings but will use a portion to fund his tertiary studies.
He said his success would not have been possible without the support of his teachers and he encouraged the Class of 2025 to put their minds and hearts into their studies in order to reap the positive rewards.
“All this would not have been possible without the help of my teachers - they are the absolute best. They are so hard-working and spend so much time with us throughout the year. They invested their time and energy into us and made a huge sacrifice by making us come to school for extra classes. They are all exceptional teachers.
“The 2025 matrics need to remember to do their best because your best can be enough, as the Class of 2024 has proved that.”
The principal of Kimberley Technical High School, Michael Ludick, described the achievement as phenomenal.
“It is my fourth year as principal of the school. Our school last had a top achiever in 2012. I remember having a conversation with Kutlo in Grade 11, where I told him that he would be first in the Province, but that we needed to work hard on making that a reality. To witness those words come to life, was very emotional and gave us all goosebumps. Everyone at our school was watching this journey with great anticipation. All the teachers were crying tears of joy as we were not only excited for Kutlo, but also to see all the sacrifices culminate into such great success,” Ludick said.
He explained that cultivating a culture of hard work, accountability and mutual support has been key to the school’s academic success.
“We had a very competitive top 10 at our school. Looking at the learners who were in the top 10 of our school with Kutlo, one could see the competition was tough. The learners also formed a great camaraderie where they encouraged each other. We created a culture where we allow the learners to teach each other. Through that, all our learners support and help each other. This achievement is not just for him but for the entire school.”
As Motlhoioa’s maths teacher, Ludick said he was proud to have contributed to his success.
“As the mathematics teacher, I had many extra classes with learners. I gave my class time limits where we worked out papers and we had coaching classes as well as examination preparation classes. I am so proud that I also got to play a role in producing the best mathematics learner in the Province,” he said proudly.
Ludick said he had confidence that his learners would excel and carry the school to greater heights.
“In 2023 we had a 67% pass rate. We had a school improvement of 23% this year as we managed to achieve 89% for this year’s matric group. It is evident that it was not only Kutlo who wanted to see the school excel, but every Grade 12 learner from 2024 wanted to see that realised.”
At 32, Ludick is the youngest principal in the province. He believes his youthfulness strengthens his connection with learners.
“Being as young as I am, I managed to get the buy-in from learners on the vision and mission I have for the school. I have a strong relationship with my learners. Being so young, you are a principal who is approachable and can relate to them in some areas. Once you show the learners that you believe in them, they also play their part without you having to arm-wrestle them. Once you have gained that trust and formed that bond with your learners, anything is possible.”
