INLSA
DURBAN:050112MatricsPICTURE:GCINA NDWALANE
Kamini Padayachee and Gugu Mbonambi
WHILE maths and physical science remained a challenge to most matriculants, two Durban pupils passed the subjects with flying colours.
Maths boffin Kashmeel Bisseru, 18, of Durban High School, who got seven distinctions in the matric exams, was stunned when he was named the top maths pupil in KwaZulu-Natal at a provincial awards ceremony yesterday.
Kashmeel, who wants to study chemical engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said he was taken aback when his name was called.
“I did not think I had the ability to do it (be the top pupil), but I worked consistently throughout the year. However, all the credit has to go to my tutor and all the others who helped me last year.”
He said he had enjoyed maths at school.
Asked for his tips on acing maths, Kashmeel said there was no secret formula.
“It is about hard work and having the determination to succeed.”
Kimberleigh Govender, 18, of Kharwastan Secondary in Chatsworth, who was named the best female pupil in maths and physical science, said she had worked hard throughout the year, but did not expect such a “prestigious” award.
“I am very shocked but happy. I was aiming for top marks, but I did not expect this,” she said.
Kimberleigh, the youngest of three children, said she had prioritised her school work and worked hard in the past year to ensure she achieved outstanding results.
“My family was very supportive and that helped me get through the stress and anxiety associated with writing matric exams,” she said.
Kimberleigh had been accepted to study applied chemistry at UKZN. “I want to do forensic science, and applied chemistry is a pre-requisite for that,” she said.
Her advice to pupils who wanted to achieve good results in maths and physical science was “practice makes perfect”.
“Maths and physics are application-based subjects, so you have to work on past exam papers to revise, because they give you an idea of what to expect in the final exam, and the more problems you work out, the better you become.”
The top physical science pupil in the province was Mlamuli Mkhalipi, of Langa High School, Zululand, who did not attend the awards ceremony.
