Top Matric achiever hungry for success

By Molaole Montsho

The North West’s top learner of the Class of 2025, Temogo Matong, has been hungry for success from an early age.

According to his mother, Omphemetse Matong, Temogo was deeply hurt when he received only a merit certificate in Grade 1.

“He told me he wanted the trophy too. I explained to him that he must work hard to get the trophy,” she said.

“From Grade 2 up to Grade 12, he had been a top achiever, collecting trophies.”

She said Temogo believed in prayer and had self-discipline.

“He worked and prayed hard and told us he wanted to go to national (top achievers). He managed to achieve that wish through the Grace of God.

“He went through a lot of challenges, and prayer strengthened him. We are proud of him,” she said.

The teenager from Setswakgosing Secondary School, situated in the dusty streets of the rural village of Morokweng in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District of the North West Province, was crowned the best matriculant in a quintile 2 school.

Quintile 2 schools in South Africa are the second-poorest tier of public schools and form part of the no-fee school system.

Temogo obtained seven distinctions with an average of 96 percent.

He achieved 90 percent in Setswana Home Language, 90 percent in Life Orientation, 98 percent in Geography, 98 percent in Mathematics, and 99 percent in Life Sciences.

He wanted to study medicine at the University of Cape Town and, after completing his studies, he wanted to specialise in neurosurgery.

He attributed his success to discipline, as well as the support of his parents and teachers.

Study camps also played a key role in his success.

“I established a consistent study table, with the support of my parents and teachers, I was able to make it to the top.”

He said his parents instilled discipline in him and stopped him from playing soccer.

“I was playing soccer in Grade 9 and 10. My parents stopped me so that I could concentrate on my books. That helped me,” he said.

He was part of the Mochwanaesi Foundations programme, where he was paired with a mentor and a subject advisor.

In his message to the Class of 2026, he said one’s background does not matter; what matters is where you are going.

“You must set clear goals, you must be disciplined, you must be dedicated. There will be a mental breakdown. You must seek help from national or provincial achievers. You must have faith and believe in God. All your goals will become true,” he said.