MPUMALANGA’s overall best pupil last year, Willem Kupershoek (18) of Hoerskool Middelburg, was honoured at his school on Thursday, 15 April.
Willem got seven distinctions, and is now doing his BSc in medicine at University of Pretoria.
Gifts he received included R30 000 from Sasol, R10 000 from Standard Bank, a laptop and brand-new Hyundai i10.
At the handover ceremony, Mpumalanga education MEC Bonakele Majuba said: “I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Willem, the man of the moment and our shining star of the day. Congratulations for being so great and a role model to thousands of pupils through your achievement. You really made us proud. Keep the Mpumalanga banner flying, even at university. You obtained position one out of 53 391 pupils who sat for examinations in 2020. You registered seven distinctions and made the province proud.”
Majuba said they also came to personally deliver confirmation of the pupil’s bursary, which will cater for full tuition, accommodation, tutorial material, food and a monthly stipend.
“We also want to officially hand over a brand-new car, sponsored by Clinipro. Surely hard work pays off. I challenge the class of 2021 to emulate his performance and strive to do even better.
“Willem, the province prides itself in you. Take care of your car, enjoy it and drive safely. Don’t ever drink and drive. You have proven to your peers that hard work, commitment and dedication pays off immensely.”
An excited Willem said: “I would like to thank my teachers, who were selfless. I was worried about the amount of assignments and work they gave in matric. Now I see it is the similar work we are doing at university. I would like to thank Mpumalanga Education Department, not only for the results and prize ceremonies, but also for the amount of work it did behind the scene. I live on former President Nelson Mandela’s belief that education is a key that you can use to change the world.”
