Pupil goes from dismal to dazzling
Luyanda Mdanda who achieved three distinctions is proof that all you need to succeed is determination.
|||Luyanda Mdanda is proof that all you need to succeed is determination.
The 17-year-old matric pupil from Beaulieu College in Kyalami achieved three distinctions. But Luyanda hasn't always been a high achiever.
He was nearly not admitted into the college because of his dismal marks in primary school.
“I was the second last on the list of people to be admitted into the school. My average was 50 percent in primary school and I did badly at the interview to be admitted at the school,” he said.
Luyanda said when he started Grade 8 he decided to change his attitude towards school.
“I decided that for me to become the man that I want to be, things had to change. I want to be a man that inspires millions and mentors others into being the best they can be. I want to be able to mentor students,” he said.
To become this man, Luyanda decided that instead of sitting at the back of the class he should move up to the front. He also started making friends with some of the best achievers in school.
“No one wants to be the dumb friend so associating with people who are good at politics, I would then compete with them. There is always healthy competition,” he said.
And that was all the motivation he needed. His grades improved and he became one of the best-performing pupils at the school, much to the delight of his parents and teachers.
He also concentrates on extramural activities.
“It is easier to put things into perspective when you have fun once in a while. There is more to life than academics,” he said.
Luyanda is a professional golf player affiliated with the Central Gauteng Golf Union and has represented the country in Malaysia and Scotland.
He now plans to study computer engineering at the University of California.
“I chose the university because it has some of the best facilities in the world. I want to learn from their advanced technology and then come back and revolutionise South Africa,” Luyanda beams.
He also hopes to start his own tech firm that will focus on research and new technologies.
Luyanda said he is always cautious about people putting pressure on him to perform.
“There will always be pressure. People expect me to achieve but for me it is only about beating my own personal goals. I always give the best that I have. Even if I get five distinctions, that will be okay because I would know I did my best and did everything correctly.”
tebogo.monama@inl.co.za
The Star