TOP KZN LEARNER BRINGS A SENSE OF PRIDE AND POSSIBILITY TO HIS COMMUNITY

By Precious Mupenzi

• Gift Mlambo, from the small rural town of Ndumo in KwaZulu-Natal, is a shining example that no matter where you come from, hard work and determination can produce remarkable results.
• Mlambo, one of the top 39 matriculants of 2024, looks set to become the first actuary from his community.
• His advice for other learners is that anything is possible if they believe in themselves.

In the rural town of Ndumo, northern KwaZulu-Natal, 18-year-old Gift Mlambo – a top matric learner from the Class of 2024 – is proving that even the most remote corners of South Africa can produce exceptional talent.

His first name, Gift, is truly fitting, as he has brought not only academic excellence but also a renewed sense of pride and possibility to his community.

Mlambo’s remarkable achievement as one of the top 39 matric learners in 2024 stands as a testament to the power of perseverance.

It also shows the importance of support – from his family, his school, his community, and the government.

As the only boy in his family, he grew up relying on the support of his mother and the guidance of his grandfather.

From birth until his 18th birthday last August, Mlambo was supported by a social grant, which helped his mother, a cashier at a local grocery retailer, care for her three children.

With the Umkhanyakude District ranking third in the country with an impressive pass rate of 92.8%, Mlambo has not only lifted the flag of his school and district high but also shown that no matter where you come from, with hard work and determination, greatness is within reach.

For Mlambo, this is just the beginning.

As he sets his sights on a career in actuarial science, the future holds endless possibilities. The community of Ndumo will watch proudly as one of their own soars to even greater heights, inspiring others along the way to chase their dreams and never give up.

Mlambo, a learner from Mandla Mthethwa School of Excellence, passed all eight of his subjects with distinctions and was honoured with the Minister’s Special Award at a prestigious ceremony held in Johannesburg.

He was joined by his mother, Philisiwe Mlambo, and his grandfather, Dumezweni Gumede, who have both been pillars of support throughout his journey.

“When I got the call informing me about the minister’s invitation, my heart swelled with pride. It was such a relief to know that all my hard work had paid off,” Mlambo recalls, his face lighting up with joy.

“The pressure was immense. I wanted to make my school and my district proud.

“In the beginning of the year, our school principal, Mrs JJ Mngomezulu, came to me and asked if we would be going back to the national awards. I said yes, inspired by the legacy left by Olwethu Khumalo, who was part of the 2023 top achievers and KwaZulu-Natal’s highest achiever. That moment became my motivation.”

Despite the challenging circumstances of his rural community, where resources are scarce and the electricity grid often fails due to load shedding, Mlambo pushed forward.

Ndumo, located in the far reaches of the Umkhanyakude District, is a place where every achievement feels like a victory. With limited access to modern facilities, schools often face significant hurdles that urban learners may not fully appreciate. Mlambo and his peers work twice as hard, relying on grit and perseverance to overcome the odds stacked against them.

“The challenges we face in our community are real,” says Mlambo, his voice soft but firm.

His story is one of triumph against the backdrop of adversity.

“The load shedding, the lack of resources, and sometimes even the lack of exposure to opportunities – it’s all part of our reality. But it teaches us resilience. It teaches us to rise above every situation and keep pushing, no matter what.”

He credits his faith and his family for his success. Unapologetically Christian, he believes that God has guided him every step of the way.

When asked to share words of wisdom with the class of 2025, he referenced Jeremiah 29:11, which speaks of God’s plans to prosper and not harm, offering hope and a future. He emphasised that preparation is key, and prayer is powerful, delivering this message with conviction.

With his father absent from his life, his grandfather stepped in as a steady role model. Offering invaluable advice, he guided him through life’s challenges and taught him the power of prayer.

Mlambo’s journey is also one of dreams realised.

Having already secured a bursary from Investec to pursue actuarial science at the University of Cape Town, he is set to become the first actuary from his community.

He plans to study hard and one day bring that knowledge back to his people. His goal is to be the first actuary from Ndumo and to show other young people that anything is possible if they believe in themselves.