23 January 2026
For most matriculants, an invitation to the National Matric Top Achievers Awards — where top-performing pupils dine with the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube — is a once-in-a-lifetime dream.
It is a dream long held by the legal guardian of Mpho Doris Ntjakata, as well as her principal and teachers at Setotolwane ELSEN Secondary School in Limpopo, who believed she would one day reach the national stage.
For Doris (18), a partially sighted learner and special educational needs pupil, that recognition once felt far out of reach.
Doris placed second nationally at the Top Special Educational Needs Achievers Awards, held at the Mosaiek Church, Randburg — an achievement that earned her an invitation from Gwarube.
Doris said:
“I honestly didn’t expect the invitation, even though I wanted it.”
“My best friend Portia and my English teacher, Mrs Mabatamela, always believed in me. They told me I would make it to the national level, but I thought they were just being kind. Looking back, I realise they saw potential in me that pushed me to keep going, even when it was very hard.”
When she had all but given up hope, the Department of Basic Education called.
“The call came around 7pm, when I had lost hope,” she said. “My best friend kept encouraging me not to be disheartened and told me the call would come. When it finally did, I immediately shared the news with her — and she shared in my excitement.”
The moment, she said, was overwhelming.
“I screamed and cried. My family was so proud. It felt like a turning point in my life. Being invited by the Minister and being recognised for the work I put into my exams is a feeling I can’t fully explain. Recognition motivates you — it keeps you going.”
Her father, Mr Ntjakata, said the achievement came as no surprise to the family.
“She has been excelling since primary school,” he said. “She has represented her school at several major events, including being invited to the Union Buildings. We always knew she would make it.”
Doris echoed her father’s sentiments, saying her academic discipline was shaped early.
“I’ve always believed that there was no option but to pass through studying,” she said.
“I also enjoyed reading for fun, so learning came naturally to me — although Grade 12 was especially demanding.”
Her strongest subjects are English First Additional Language and Business Studies, while she gradually improved in others through consistent effort. She credits encouragement, discipline and surrounding herself with like-minded peers for her success.
Residing in Sekgakgapeng, Mokopane, Doris adopted different study methods for different subjects — using the blurting method for Economics and Tourism, cramming for Business Studies and Home Language, and YouTube tutorials for Maths Literacy.
“I followed a very strict study timetable,” she said. “I planned weeks ahead, focusing on the subjects I would write the following week. It helped me stay ahead and avoid feeling overwhelmed.”
On non-exam days, she studied from early morning until late at night, sometimes continuing into the early hours of the morning.
“It was extremely difficult to live on such a tight schedule,” she said. “But it required self-discipline and resilience.”Doris hopes her journey will inspire the Class of 2026 and other learners facing adversity.“Do not settle for anything less,” she said.
She further said:
“Compete with yourself, not with others. Always aim to do better than your previous results. In the end, everything will work out.”
Credits:
Vicky Abrahams
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