The daughter of South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago has been praised – and criticised – after her outstanding IEB matric pass made headlines. But backing Mmabodiba – who secured 11 distinctions at private school Cornwall Hill College – is media personality Anele Mdoda.

The learner was named one of the school’s top achievers from the class of 2023.

BACKLASH AS SARB GOVERNOR GETS OVER-ACHIEVER MATRIC PASS
According to a post by Cornwall Hill College, Mmabodiba Kganyago achieved the private school’s second-highest matric pass with 11 distinctions.

While the academic results were a notable achievement, social media users targeted the matriculant and other children of ministers and cabinet members who attend private schools.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cornwall Hill College (@cornwallhill)

@ObserveMr: “Kids from affluent families getting distinctions should not be praised. It’s expected”

@AparryW: “Well done. If only ordinary South Africans could get private school-level quality education for their children.

@Dr_Shiyaklenga: “I’m sure she never had issues with loadshedding during exams.”

One tweep posted a video of learners who had to cross a river to commute to school. The tweep added: “Obviously, she didnt experience this when travelling to school.

Radio personality and podcaster Sol Phenduka was also one of the critics, tweeting: “Imagine if the average South African child could school on a full stomach, in well a resourced government school and coming from a peaceful and comfortable home. These kinds of stories would be a norm, and Southa would flourish on so many fronts.”

Imagine if the Average South African child could school on a full stomach, in well a resourced government school and coming from a peaceful and comfortable home….. These kind of stories would be a norm and Southa would be flourish on so many fronts. https://t.co/U5aOTWzqfs

— Solomzi Thandubuntu (@Solphendukaa) January 18, 2024
ANELE: ‘LET’S NOT DIM HER ACHIEVEMENTS’
Clapping back at Sol and other social media users was Anele Mdoda. The 947 host – who sends her own son Alakhe to a private school – defended the learner against criticism.

She tweeted: “Let’s not dim this girl’s achievements. I had exactly what you are listing here and didn’t achieve half of what this little girl did. Not everything has to be a battleground. Please, let’s play fair.

She added: “What I am saying is perhaps state that away from this little black girl’s achievements because sadly your tweet came with a tone of yeah but. She has 8 [11] distinctions. The end”.