At just 12 years old, HlumaNande Baphiwe Kuza-Philani, head girl at Voorpos Primary, is already making waves as a young leader, pupil, and performer whose story embodies growth, faith, and determination.
Kuza-Philani recently achieved triple gold at this year’s East London Eisteddfod (ELFEST) for individual poetry — a testament to her passion and dedication to excellence. Beyond her academic achievements, she is also an avid netball player and a drama enthusiast, who dreams of performing on bigger stages.
She told the Go! she could not contain her excitement after being accepted at Hudson Park High. Her immediate goal was to make the cut in the drama group at the school next year.
“I love that you can’t hide who you are when you perform,” Kuza-Philani said.
“If you walk on stage confident and slaying, it shows who you are. Your performance reflects your personality, your culture, your story, your life.”
She says her love for drama began at Sonwa Sakhuba Academy, where she learned to overcome shyness and embrace creativity.
“The academy taught me to break out of my shell.”
Faith also plays a major role in Kuza-Philani’s life. A devoted Seventh-day Adventist, she said her relationship with God kept her grounded.
“My faith in God is huge. He’s my best friend. Even through trials and tribulations, God will be there.
“As head girl, I strive to lead with kindness, respect, and humility — guided by the Bible verse. ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’.”
“And it feels amazing to be a leader. Even though sometimes it can be harsh, but with great power comes great responsibility.”
Her leadership philosophy centers around three principles: being supportive, setting a good example, and helping others shine.
“For me, leadership isn’t about being in the spotlight. You can shine through others,” she said.
When she isn’t leading or performing, Kuza-Philani enjoys studying natural science.
“I love exploring nature and learning about life. It calms me, but it also hurts me that we’re destroying Earth. The earth is our only home — we must take care of it.”
Balancing academics, sports, and leadership isn’t always easy, but Kuza-Philani says discipline and faith helped her stay focused.
Despite occasional exhaustion, she remains motivated by her dreams of becoming a cardiologist or physiologist — careers that align with her compassion for people.
Looking ahead to high school, Kuza-Philani was eager to embrace new challenges.
“I’m excited that Hudson Park has its own theatre. I’ve seen their performances — they’re out of this world. With my sweet and bubbly personality, I can definitely colour that stage.”
