Soshanguve Block X born, Charles Matlala has put Soshanguve on the map, this after obtaining 7 distinctions in Matric last year.
18-year-old Matlala from Kgadime Matsepe Senior Secondary school was awarded for obtaining 96% in Geography, he was the only recipient of the award for top performing learner in Gauteng in this category.
Out of the 7 distinctions he obtained, among the standouts were Life Sciences and Physical Sciences, which he obtained 100% and 91% respectively.
Asked what was the secret ingredient for his success in Matric, Matlala told Tshwane Bulletin Newspaper that, “I think discipline and commitment helped me to achieve my goals. Being able to manage my time, utilizing every available resource and fully immersing myself in my academic life and leaving out all distractions was a very pivotal part of my matric success. Going the extra mile and keeping to a strict study schedule every single day. I had an entire community which had faith in me and honestly that was truly inspiring”.
Matlala also shed some light on the challenges that he had to overcome while simultaneously focusing on his studies in Matric.
“Time constraints and the reality of COVID 19. Having to manage a horrendous workload while having to deal with responsibilities at home. For most of 2021, we lived in a two-room setting because half the house was demolished. I did not have my personal study area, I had to study in an unideal environment. The threat of COVID 19 to our academic year was also taking a toll on my mental health,” he added.
Matlala further revealed his plans to go and study in Cape Town.
“Tertiary education is the next step in this exciting journey. Hopefully in the next few weeks, I’ll be jetting of to the Cape Coast to study Actuarial Science at the prestigious University of Cape Town. I’m really happy to say that my mother will not be paying a cent,” he revealed.
He thanked everyone who supported him throughout his journey in Matric, adding that he was who he was because of each and everyone’s support.
He said, “Words cannot begin to explain how greatful I am to every single teacher for showing great faith in me and fully investing in my and every single learner’s education. Teachers are society’s pillars.
“To my parents and the Soshanguve community, I would love to save special praise and utter the colloquial saying, ” umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”. I would not be where I am if it was not for them”.
He lastly had some words of wisdom and encouragement to the Matric Class of 2022.
“Go the extra mile, work the extra hour and maintain consistency. Study like your entire life depends on it because, in a way, it does. Dream big and show ambition. There is no wall high enough to ascend for a dreamer. You will thank yourself in the end,” he concluded.