A STANDOUT Eastern Cape pupil who attended the Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) in her area, aced her matric examinations and is now all set to pursue her tertiary studies in medicine at the University of Cape Town this year.
Athini Mqolora attended Wongalethu High School in Mdantsane and achieved an impressive overall average of 88% in matric last year, with distinctions in maths, science and English.
The 2016 class of the Engen Maths and Science School achieved an impressive 94% pass rate, up 5% from last year’s average of 89%, with 70% of pupils attaining a bachelor pass.
At an awards ceremony held in East London at the weekend, Engen proudly announced Mqolora as the top pupil in the Eastern Cape. She also placed in joint third place nationally.
Mqolora was raised by her aunt after losing her mother to cancer in 2007, and this inspired her to enrol to study medicine with a view to specialise in oncology.
“EMSS exposed us to so much more and our tutors really believed in us,” she said.
“I had to work really hard to achieve my results, but this is just the beginning.
“I never dreamt that one day I would be able to own my own surgery and tackle cancer, but thanks to Engen, I have the confidence and opportunity to go on and make this dream a reality.”
Engen’s manager of corporate social investment Mntu Nduvane said the company is extremely proud of all the pupils who participated in the EMSS programme.
“Now go and make a success of your careers,” Nduvane urged at the ceremony.
Engen communications manager Gavin Smith said: “By continuing to grow the minds and talents of the future, the Engen Math and Science School’s initiative is to change our world, helping people to explore new horizons and gain new experiences: proof once again that as a company, Engen is with you on your journey.”
EMSS is a national initiative addressing key skills shortages in the engineering and technical fields by providing after-hours math and science education to pupils who show an advanced aptitude in the subjects.
EMSS exposes pupil from Grades 10 to 12 to top teachers and educational materials.
Last year, 1881 pupils from grades 10 to 12 participated in EMSS classes, of which 586 wrote the matric final exams. The majority of schools supported by EMSS are “no fee” schools in disadvantaged communities.
Currently, Engen supports nine maths and science schools across South Africa.
Among many of those who will go on to study for careers of their choice, the top achievers met with Engen’s corporate social investment heads at Engen’s head office in Cape Town to celebrate their outstanding achievements.
