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SAHETI’s top pupil bags 8 distinctions while fighting cancer

Antonio Aristides has been named the most commendable achiever by the IEB for achieving eight distinctions. (All images supplied)

While Grade 12 pupils were anxious about writing their preliminary examinations ahead of the finals last year, Antonio Aristides feared for the worst when his health took a turn for the worse.

The 19-year-old former SAHETI School pupil was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system while writing prelims.

He had to undergo chemotherapy, which continued throughout his finals.

But Aristides’ health proved no deterrent as he has been named a commendable achiever by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) after bagging eight distinctions.

He is ranked within the top 5% of IEB candidates nationally in more than five subjects and has also been ranked within the top 1% for English, nationally.

Speaking to News24 on Monday, Aristides said, although there were downs, especially towards the end of the year, with the cancer diagnosis, he had vowed he would finish his matric no matter what challenges came his way.

He added he could not have done it without the support of his family, friends and SAHETI School, which is situated in Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

Studying while in chemo

The top achiever added that time management had played a “huge role” as he prepared for his finals, more than previously.

“In matric, you learn to work every day you can. I balanced everything. Whenever I felt well, I tried to put in as much as I could. So that when I was not feeling well, I was able to take a break.

“If I went for chemo, I would try to get some hours in [of studying], while sitting there. I was not going to waste that time.”

He added he was hoping to pursue studies in engineering, although he was not sure at which institution yet. But first, he wants to ensure that he is good health before making his decision.

Aristides said his last chemotherapy session was expected to be on January 17.

SAHETI School’s Class of 2019 received 242 distinctions, of which five pupils received distinctions in eight and nine subjects.

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Don’t use service pistols in anger – Durban mayor after metro cop arrested for murder

eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has appealed to Metro Police to not use their firearms in anger after a constable was arrested for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Zinhle Muthwa.Missing Zinhle

“As the municipality, we strongly condemn gender-based violence and it is sad that Ms Muthwa was allegedly killed by someone who was meant to uphold the law. We therefore call on Durban Metro Police members not to use service pistols to deal with anger issues,” Kaunda said on Tuesday.

Constable Ndumiso Khumalo, 30, who is attached to the City’s multi-operational response unit, is in custody after he appeared in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court for Muthwa’s murder on Monday.

He faces charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice and will be back in the dock on January 13 to apply for bail.

Kaunda also called on authorities to get justice for Muthwa.

“We also call upon the police to conduct a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of this matter. Institutions that are responsible for dispensing justice must also send a clear message that crimes of this nature are not acceptable in our society.”

Muthwa’s bruised body was found in Umbumbulu on New Year’s Day with a gunshot wound to the head.

Media reports indicated that she had initially gone missing after someone in a white car picked her up in New Germany.

Umbumbulu detectives led by its station commander followed up information regarding Khumalo’s involvement in the murder and arrested him in the area. They recovered a firearm that was believed to be the murder weapon.

Muthwa’s initial disappearance sparked an outcry on social media amid ongoing fears of gender-based violence which reached boiling point during the #AmINext movement in mid-2019

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Top IEB matrics hope to study medicine at home or in America

St Stithians College's Iviwe Matikinca received seven distinctions.

St Stithians College’s Iviwe Matikinca received seven distinctions. 
Image: Supplied

Iviwe Matikinca of St Stithians College, Johannesburg, was among thousands of IEB matriculants who beamed with pride when they received their results on Tuesday.

Matikinca achieved seven distinctions in subjects including mathematics and physical science.

He was in disbelief after receiving his results.

“I don’t know how to react, it’s still quite surreal. There’s just a surge of emotions running through me at the moment … but I am quite pleased.

“I had quite big expectations of myself. I knew I was capable because I had been achieving in grades 10 and 11 … I worked hard consistently. At times I was unmotivated and quite stressed, but had to keep my eyes on the prize,” he told

The 18-year-old hopes to be accepted at the US’s Columbia or Yale universities at the end of January, where he wants to enrol for biomedical engineering to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

Asked what inspired his choice of study, he cited the dire state of health care in SA.

“My mother is a medical doctor, so there was a bit of inspiration there, but at the end of the day, I had the privilege of job shadowing at Baragwanath Hospital and several clinics. That really enforced the dream and idea.

“At first it was quite daunting, shocking and the realisation that the health system in South Africa is lacking. People don’t have proper care. I got to see it all first-hand. It made me realise that doctors have a real influence and can make a real contribution in people’s lives,” he said.

Meanwhile, his classmate, Muhammad Uthman Moola, was on the IEB’s list of outstanding and commendable achievers (achieved within the top 5% of pupils in five subjects and 80% or more for life orientation).

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‘After I lost my father, I worked harder to achieve my dreams’: Matric top achiever

Tshilidza Manwadu from Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo was invited to the 2019 top-achievers' breakfast with basic education minister Angie Motshekga.

Tshilidza Manwadu from Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo was invited to the 2019 top-achievers’ breakfast with basic education minister Angie Motshekga. 
Image: Iavan Pijoos

After losing her father in 2017, Tshilidza Manwadu decided to work harder to accomplish her dream of becoming a medical doctor.

“Before then I wasn’t doing really well academically, but the moment he died I told myself I was going to work hard to achieve the things he couldn’t achieve,” she told TimesLIVE on Tuesday morning.

Manwadu, from Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo, was invited to the 2019 top achievers’ breakfast with basic education minister Angie Motshekga. The function was held at Vodaworld in Midrand.

A total of 790,405 candidates sat for 147 question papers in 7,416 examination centres nationwide.

A further 212 pupils wrote at correctional facilities.

“Right now I don’t know my results, but I am thankful to be here today,” Manwadu said.

She said schooling in Limpopo was difficult. A lack of resources was one of the main challenges, with pupils having to buy their own study guides and books.

“The teachers are trying very hard to help us, but most of the schools are overcrowded, so it’s very difficult to overcome the challenges we face.”

Manwadu said her elder sister was one of her greatest mentors.

“She motivated me when I felt like giving up and she was always there to give me encouragement.”

Manwadu said she was hoping to study medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

She said her dream was to help and inspire those around her.

“Through my medical career I am also hoping to start organisations to empower women.

“I want to help my mother, because she has been a single mother trying her best to support her children.

“I want women to realise that their backgrounds don’t determine them. All they need to do is believe in themselves.

“If you believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve anything,” she said.

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Four children die after eating poisoned substance on dump site

The children were identified as Alunamda Mqawu, 3, Zintle Mqawu, 10, Alizwa Rhwayibana, 5, and Asive Rhwayibana, 11.

he children were identified as Alunamda Mqawu, 3, Zintle Mqawu, 10, Alizwa Rhwayibana, 5, and Asive Rhwayibana, 11. 
Image: Saps

Four children have died after they consumed a toxic substance at a dump site in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, police said on Tuesday morning.

Police spokesperson Capt Andre Beetge said the children, aged between three and 11, were playing close to their homes when they ate food found between the rubble.

“Some rumours about chips and cheese were doing the rounds, but police will only be able to get a better idea of the cause of death once post mortems and forensic tests have been conducted,” Beetge said.

The incident happened after 6pm on Monday.

The children were identified as Alunamda Mqawu, 3, Zintle Mqawu, 10, Alizwa Rhwayibana, 5, and Asive Rhwayibana, 11

A boy, Asiphile Grootboom, 7, survived after receiving treatment.

An inquest docket had been opened.

“A stern warning has also been given to the community in the area not to consume anything found on rubbish dump sites,” Beetge said.