Komatipoort - A Mpumalanga orphan who grew up in a child-headed family has proven that hard work pays off after producing six distinctions in the 2011 matric exams.
Xolani Mabaso, 17, from Sikhwahlane Secondary School in Sikhwahlane village near the Swaziland border, produced As in SiSwati, Life Orientation, Economics, Business Studies, Tourism, Mathematics Literacy, a B in Accounting and a C in English.
"I'm very happy that my hard work has finally paid off. I never expected to get these distinctions because I came from a poor background and attended a school without resources," said a happy Xolani.
He lost his parents in 2007 and was forced to raise his younger brother, now aged 11, after his elder brothers and sisters moved on to start their lives elsewhere.
"When my parents died, I thought it was the end of the road. I never thought I would survive the trauma, but God Almighty has consoled me with these good results," said Mabaso, who is the fifth child in a family of six children.
He said his brothers and sisters were able to send them food and give them encouraging messages.
Sikhwahlane Secondary School has been rated among the poorest of schools in the Nkomazi region.
Most pupils from the school do not know where to go after completing their schooling, including Xolani.
"I applied for enrolment at the University of Johannesburg early last year and they didn't reply to my application. I am worried that I have good results but I will be stuck here at home without furthering my education," said Xolani, who wants to study Accounting Science.
Another high achiever, Lerato Sambo, 16, from Mahhushe High School in Mzinti, is also faced with a bleak future despite obtaining four As.
"I wanted to study Electrical Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal but my application was rejected. I don't know what to do anymore," she said.
Other high achievers at Mahhushe High School are Londiwe Nkuna and Nokubonga Mabila, who also scooped four As each.
All four attributed their success to hard work.
Circuit manager in the Nkomazi West Circuit Aubas Bhiya said the pupils had made the Nkomazi region and Mpumalanga proud.
"On behalf of other circuit managers and educators in the region we appreciate this good achievement in our schools," said Bhiya.
