IT was as if the rain was not pouring heavily on Wednesday, January 15, at James Jolobe Secondary School in Motherwell, when former learner, Petros Matinha, returned with his trophy and framed certificate in hand.
He had achieved a huge milestone by being named the second top matric 2024 learner in the Metro and the first to achieve seven distinctions from his school.
“He has not only made us proud, but he has also put our school on the map – no one has ever done what he has managed here before, and it’s such a reassurance to us all. His achievements have restored the faith in not only other learners but the teachers and greater staff of the school as well,” a proud Abednigo Mankanku, principal of the school, said.
In the busyness of the first day of school, with parents coming in and out to register their children, the staff and learners at James Jolobe stopped everything when one of their own, Matinha, entered through the gates in his sparkling white blazer, with trophy and certificate in hand.
Welcoming him with amagwijo (celebratory isiXhosa songs), hugs, and high fives, the emotion in his eyes was hard to miss, as he beamed with a sense of pride. “Ngu Petros lo, abamaziyo, abazange bambona!” (this is Petros whom they might think they know but have never seen) the entire school chanted as he took it all in, almost in disbelief.
Mankanku, who has been the principal at the school for two years, said ever since Matinha joined the school in Grade 9, he has always been a dedicated learner, eager to make something of himself.
“Coming from a disadvantaged background, it was always clear that Matinha came here to change his circumstances. He knew that education, and specifically excelling in his studies, was what would get him out of poverty. He would always say he wanted to prove that hard work beats talent. You can have all the talent in the world, but consistent hard work is what will secure results, and I’d say he has proven that beyond doubt.”
Explaining the motivation behind his determination, Matinha said, “Life does not always give you favourable cards; I learned that from a very young age. But I quickly learned that in order to be in control of your destiny, you need to put in the work required from you. Then what isn’t in your control, you accept. But it’s important to safeguard what you can control.
“Throughout my schooling, I didn’t really have a social life, and that was intentional. I was aware that friends would want to go out partying and having a good time, but I couldn’t afford to do that; it would cost me my goal, so I chose a different path for myself,” the young man said.
Being a Zimbabwean citizen did not make life in South Africa any easier for him, as he said he was discriminated against from the beginning and sometimes felt like he was fighting a losing battle.
“If it was not for the teachers at James Jolobe, I don’t know where I’d be; they all became my family, and I felt so loved and accepted there. It was actually so ironic because when I first moved to Gqeberha and was looking for a school, people discouraged me from trying to get into James Jolobe; they looked down on it and called it a school for rejects. But look at it now, the ‘school of rejects’ has produced the second-best learner in the Metro,” he coyly said.
His older brother, Shelton Kativu, couldn’t hide his pride. “He has made our family so proud. Before our mother, Enika Kativu, passed away in 2016, she told me to look after my little brother and make sure he got an education.
So, even though I didn’t have formal employment, I tried to make sure he stayed in school. He, of course, made it so easy for me because he has a built-in spirit of determination and zeal. Coupled with the support from his teachers, this is just emotional for me. He makes us so proud,” he explained.
For all the extra lessons and financial and emotional support, Matinha could not thank his teachers enough.
“You know, after writing my exams, I had to go back home to Zim; they gathered the money for my travels. Then, when I was named a top achiever, they again gathered money to bring me back. How can it be easy for me to move on from them? I wish I could stay at this school,” he joked.
Fortunately, Matinha was able to secure a bursary to study at the University of Pretoria, where he plans to pursue an Actuarial Science degree. However, he is afraid that if he is not granted a study permit, he might have to go back home and forfeit his dream.
Before jetting off to the next adventure, Matinha wished to thank the teachers who were at the forefront of helping him at James Jolobe Secondary School: Nosicelo Ntliziywane, Zimkhitha Wopa, Vuyokazi Gxothiwe, Zukiswa Ngcana, Vuyokazi Mfecane, the school principal, as well as all the teachers at the Kutlwanong Maths and Science Programme.
Concluding with much hope for the 2025 academic year, Mankanku said he hopes Matinha’s journey will inspire the learners to pull up their socks and work even harder.
“There already were a few learners who were in a healthy competition with him in his class. I even heard some Grade 9 learners saying they want to raise the bar he has set, and that’s exactly what we want to see.”
The James Jolobe Secondary School matric class of 2024 achieved an 83.3% pass rate. At the celebrations held in Buffalo City, the Premier of the Province of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane said, “We applaud the resilience, dedication, and hard work of all matriculants in the Eastern Cape. To those who may not have achieved their desired results, remember that your journey is far from over. New opportunities await, and your potential is limitless. Congratulations once again to the Class of 2024! The future is yours to shape.”
