KIMBERLEY – Despite language barriers, Jiawen Huang achieved top results throughout her school career. Last week, this 2025 matriculant at Kimberley Girls’ High School (KGHS) was announced as the top achiever in the Northern Cape with the release of the National Senior Certificate examination results.
Jiawen is also the top candidate in the province in Accounting, Life Sciences and Music. Furthermore, she is the top 2025 matriculant at KGHS in all eight of her subjects, and was awarded the most prestigious Honours Blazer for maintaining an average above 90% in Grade 11 and 12.
Although Jiawen was only introduced to Afrikaans at the age of ten, she is the top learner in Afrikaans and received the Niewoudt Trophy for top Afrikaans marks in Grade 12.
“In my early school years, Afrikaans was completely unfamiliar to me, making learning and expressing myself quite challenging. I realised I would need to put in extra effort, so I focused extensively on reading, listening, and practising the language consistently.
“I paid close attention in class, asked questions when I didn’t understand, and made an effort to use Afrikaans beyond the classroom. Over time, repetition and exposure helped build my confidence. With patience, support from my teachers, and perseverance, the language gradually became something I was comfortable with,” Jiawen says.
Medical studies await
With a passion for Sciences and her curiosity about how things work, especially the human body, Jiawen intends to study Medicine (MBChB) at Stellenbosch University.
“I hope to contribute to improving health outcomes and providing compassionate care. Ultimately, I want to use my knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of others, particularly within my community.”
As the top Music candidate, Jiawen discovered that music provides a creative outlet and a way to recharge mentally.
“The discipline, patience, and focus I developed through practising piano and ensemble works supported my academic performance. Rather than competing with each other, these areas complemented one another and contributed to my overall growth. I treated music with the same level of commitment as my studies, which helped me stay organised.”
Through her involvement in school activities and serving as chairperson of the Choir and Science Club, she learnt that leadership is more about service than authority.
“It involves listening to others, working as a team, and leading by example. I learnt the importance of responsibility, communication, and supporting others so that everyone can succeed. Leadership also taught me patience and adaptability, as different people require different approaches.
“These lessons have shaped how I interact with others both inside and outside the classroom.”
Consistent routine
During her school years, her study routine was built around consistency. This recipient of many academic awards made sure she understood her work daily instead of leaving everything for exams.
“I planned my time carefully, broke my work into manageable sections, and prioritised subjects that needed more attention. I also made time to revise regularly and asked for help whenever I was unsure. Maintaining balance through Music and leadership activities helped me stay focused and avoid burnout, which made it easier to stay consistent across all subjects.”
One of her biggest challenges was adapting to a new language environment in her early school years, when she was unfamiliar with English or Afrikaans. She remained persistent, practised consistently and, through this, not only mastered the languages but also learnt that growth is possible with determination and support.
Jiawen speaks Mandarin, English, and Afrikaans, remarking that each language represents a different part of her journey and growth.
Her favourite Afrikaans expression is “aanhouer wen”. This phrase resonates deeply with her journey.
“It reminds me that challenges are part of growth, and that persistence is often what turns difficulty into achievement.”
