Behind the distinctions: How Lufhereng's star pupil overcame matric pressure

The 2025 matric year put Tsundukani Baloyi of Lufhereng Secondary School under tremendous pressure, requiring discipline, resilience, and perseverance and shaping a journey marked by challenge, growth, and bittersweet triumph. This pressure ranged from the quiet guidance of a principal leading from the sidelines to the weight of expectations at a school known for academic excellence.

Describing her year as one filled with “bittersweet memories,” Tsundukani said the academic load was particularly intense as learners raced to complete the syllabus within a limited time before examinations.

“The pressure was overwhelming at times, but I am grateful for the dedication and support of our teachers, including our principal, Ma’am Mpahlela, who introduced effective strategies that helped us manage the pressure and push through.”

As a learner at a school renowned for academic excellence, Tsundukani admitted she placed immense expectations on herself, pressure that peaked during the examination period.

“Striving for distinctions required consistent hard work and discipline. But the journey taught me resilience and perseverance. It pushed me academically and helped me grow personally, making the year both demanding and rewarding,” she added.

One of the defining highlights of her matric year was being selected for the Veritas High Flyers Camp, an achievement that affirmed her efforts.

“That moment made me realise that my hard work was being recognised. The camp shifted my mindset before finals. It motivated me to aim higher, stay focused, and approach my exams with renewed confidence,” she said.

Looking ahead, the 18-year-old aspires to study nursing at Stellenbosch University, specialising in midwifery. Her long-term vision includes opening a private clinic after completing her Honours qualification, with the aim of contributing meaningfully to maternal and child healthcare. 

Beyond her professional goals, she hopes to give back to developing schools in Soweto by donating learning equipment and assisting learners in need.

“Access to proper resources can change a child’s entire educational journey,” she said.

Tsundukani believes her results reflect only a fraction of her story. Behind the grades were long hours of isolation from family, emotional strain and moments of self-doubt. During exams, she distanced herself from friends and sacrificed rest, often surviving on only a few hours of sleep.

“I was driven by the vision of a better life and the determination not to be limited by my background,” she said.

Reflecting on the year, she said matric revealed her true strength. 

“I learned that ‘I’m tired’ should never stop me from acting,” she said. Even in moments of frustration, she pushed forward, not only for herself but also for her mother, discovering a level of determination no exam mark could ever measure.

Her advice to the class of 2026 is clear and rooted in faith, commit to excellence from the very first term, stay disciplined, resist peer pressure and work with a clear sense of purpose. 

She encouraged learners to invest their time and effort early, reminding them that hard work always yields rewards and that, with faith, nothing is impossible.

The Star

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