By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Maluti TVET College top achiever Isaac Mahlasela attributes his academic success to the support of his parents and older siblings, as well as his own efforts of focusing on his studies and helping his peers with their work.
The college celebrates its top achievers at Kgola Thuto Secondary School hall on February 20 and each one was honoured with a trophy, certificate, and special prizes.
Mahlasela who is an Electrical Engineering student at the Kwetlisong skills centre was announced as the overall top achiever.
Addressing the audience, attributed his success to the support of his family.
In an interview with The Guard, Mahlasela could not conceal his excitement as he savoured the rewards of his hard work.
“This is the best feeling ever because it is my first time to win an award. I spend a lot of time studying and at home; I do not have many friends. One of the things that played a part in my success is helping my peers with their work, so all that practice and effort has made it possible for me to do so well.”
Mahlasela’s older sister Nonkululeko Ndlovu – who was there to support him – said she was very proud of her younger brother and that he is the first one in their family to graduate.
“This award shows what type of person Isaac is; he has really made us very proud as a family. I am very happy. His older brother Zakhele and I have supported him and made this all possible for him and he has really made us proud,” Ndlovu said in interview with The Guard.
Under the leadership of the acting campus manager at Kwetlisong Sentroy Mosalla, another top achiever at the skills academy doing a skills programme called End User Computing, Katleho Mmatli got 100 percent for this course.
“I want to attribute my success to my fellow peers because when I couldn’t understand the work I would ask them to help me, so this is not just my award but an award for all of us. One day I hope to open my own internet café and use my skills to help my community with computer related things like sending emails,” Mmatli said.
Far right Itemoheleng campus manager Dan Lehlakola, Maluti TVET college top achiever Isaac Mahlasela and Acting Principal Motlalepula Tsotetsi.
In her speech, outgoing Student Representative Council (SRC) president Relebohile Lekoetje said: “In most events when I must make a speech, I often start by acknowledging the executive staff and principal, but today may I go out of line and acknowledge the students first.
“Nothing is more important than acknowledging the achievements of people while they are still alive. The achievements of the students gathered here today is just the start of a lifelong adventure. Whenever things seem tough, they must remember the words of Thomas Edison who said ‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10 000 ways that wont work. Waste is worse than loss.”
