One of the matriculants who achieved seven distinctions in last year's exams, Mulweli Yolanda Mafukata (18), attributes her success to hard work and a belief in her own ability.

Mulweli, accompanied by her proud parents, drove all the way from Makhado to Polokwane for the provincial matric prize-giving ceremony, which was held at The Ranch Hotel on Tuesday.

“I am very glad that I have made it!” beamed Mulweli. “It had been my goal to go to Polokwane for the provincial matric awards. I was able to achieve my goal through focus and knowing what I wanted to achieve.”

A pupil at Mopani Intermediate School near Musina, in the Soutpansberg North Circuit, Mulweli achieved distinctions in Tshivenda, Physical Science, English, Agricultural Sciences, Life Science, Mathematics and Life Orientation.

She further attributed her success to the support she got from people who believed in her. “These are my parents, Dr Abel and Florence Mafukata, my siblings, my principal, Ms Tshilidzi Mabirimisa, and my teachers.”

“Muthu u vha zwine ene mune a divhona e zwone (A person only becomes what she or he visualises about himself or herself),” she added. “So, I visualised my successful matric results while working hard, and went on to make it.”

An internationally acclaimed motivational speaker and pastor, Dr Abel Mafukata, congratulated his daughter and explained that she is a hard worker. “We were not surprised when we got an invitation to attend the prize-giving ceremony,” said Mafukata.

Mulweli's parents also extended their gratitude to the school's principal, Ms Mabirimisa. “She worked extremely hard and kept on pushing Mulweli to score seven distinctions and to become the best learner in the province for agricultural sciences,” said Mafukata.

Mulweli has been accepted to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Pretoria. “I was awarded a full bursary by Exxaro mining company, because of my good academic record,” she said.