Soweto boy's chance to shine

2008-12-30 21:05

Johannesburg - Despite being taught in an almost run-down school for years in Senoane, Soweto, matric pupil Katlego Zabala achieved five distinctions on Tuesday, including in mathematics and science.

The 17-year-old orphan, who was also the national winner of the Michael Shuttleworth's "The Future of Space in Support of Mankind" essay competition last year, attributed his success to hard work.

A pupil at Sekano Ntoana Secondary School, Katlego received A's in mathematics, life sciences, physical science, English and life orientation with two B's in geography and Vhenda.

"I worked hard and applied myself from the beginning of the year. During week days I stayed behind after school to study for three hours. In a way I lived and breathed my studies," he said.

"I also had a lot of support, especially from my grandmother and my teachers, who assisted me emotionally and sometimes gave me money for taxi fare to attend Saturday school," Katlego said.

Principal Percy Ntshingila described Katlego as "an intelligent boy who worked very hard in class at all times" and made the school proud in academic competitions.

"We had extra classes, motivational talks and some teachers went the extra mile and facilitated morning classes for our pupils to do well," he said.

- SAPA