AFRICA | A brilliant African girl named Luyanda Ndlozi has emerged as one of South Africa’s top matric achievers for 2025, graduating with seven distinctions and earning a full scholarship to study Engineering.
Luyanda’s story reflects that talent, discipline, and belief can break every limitation, no matter where you come from.
Luyanda's Story and How She Did It
Luyanda, a student of Elangwane Secondary School in Volksrust, Mpumalanga, topped Quintile 1 schools nationally, recording an outstanding 99% in Mathematics and Accounting, and 97% in Physical Sciences.
Her exceptional results came with remarkable rewards. Luyanda received a brand-new car, R66,000 in cash, and a full bursary covering tuition, accommodation, and study materials.
She was also gifted a laptop, smartwatch, power bank, bar fridge, and microwave through the Mpumalanga Department of Education and corporate sponsors. For Luyanda, the achievement was built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.
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“I studied every day, even when I was tired. Some days it was exhausting, but I knew I had to push through to reach my goals,” she sad.
She recalled how school routine was defined by long school days, heavy bags, and late-night study sessions.
Luyanda credits her mother, teachers, and school leadership, especially her principal Mr Ngwenya, for believing in her and making personal sacrifices to support learners. “They believed in me even when I doubted myself,” she said.
She also benefited from academic support programmes such as the Kutlwanong Pro-Maths Centre and SAICA camps, which strengthened her confidence in Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
Despite coming from a challenging background, living with relatives and her grandmother while her mother relied on odd jobs, Luyanda remained focused on her goals.
Now, she is set to study Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT), with dreams of contributing to robotics, automation, healthcare technology, and smart systems in South Africa.
“I want to help advance technology in South Africa and bring our country closer to global technological standards,” she said.
Luyanda encourages learners preparing for Grade 12 to stay disciplined and consistent. “It won’t be easy, and there will be times you feel like giving up. But if you stay organised and push yourself, you can achieve more than you ever imagined,” she said.
Her mother, Nonhlahla Ndlozi, described the moment her daughter was announced as the overall top performer as overwhelming.
“I didn’t celebrate, I burst into tears,” she said. “Now I’m relieved because I won’t have to borrow money for her university education. She has everything she needs.”
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and Education MEC Lindi Masina congratulated Luyanda at a provincial awards ceremony in Secunda, praising her as proof that excellence can come from small towns.
“I never believed a learner from Volksrust could achieve this—but it is possible,” Luyanda said. “Anything is achievable with dedication. A candle doesn’t lose its fire by lighting another one.”
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