Awethu Sodlulashe will go down in history as the first-ever learner to have attained an A aggregate (80% and above) for Somerset High School, which first opened its doors six years ago.
The proud matriculant has set her sights on a medical degree from the University of Cape Town.
Awethu, who obtained 81,6% in the 2021 NSC examinations, credits so many for her success.
“All my hard work would have been in vain without my educators,” she said. “They made sure we, the matric class of 2021, had access to all the resources that could help us study.
“They gave up their time with their families so we could have extra classes to clear all the confusion we may have. My parents also played a major part in ensuring my success by making sure I had enough time to study.
“They took over most of my responsibilities to ensure I had nothing to worry about other than my studies,” she said.
Throughout her school years the young woman always looked up to her parents as her role models.
“They’ve been working hard every day to ensure the well-being of my siblings and me for as long as I can remember.”
On how lockdown affected her studies she shared she had struggled to study from home because there was certain information that couldn’t be found in textbooks. The fact that she could not visit anyone to ask for help, made matters worse.
“This took its toll on my studies as I could see a decline in my performance. It was more difficult to concentrate during virtual class meetings, but I had to pull myself together because it was my future that was at stake.”
