Cape Town - By the time Miche Gertse was in matric, she had suffered from bone and lung cancer. But she did not let illness stand in her way and on Thursday she was one of up to 100 pupils from across the province honoured at the National Senior Certificate awards, held at Premier Helen Zille’s Leeuwenhof residence.
Miche, a matriculant from Bernadino Heights High, endured years of illness throughout her school career.
But her perseverance earned her the ministerial award after she received above-average marks, including two As.
In Grade 5, Miche was diagnosed with bone cancer and had a tumour removed from her right leg and a metal prosthesis inserted into her femur. She also suffered kidney damage. In Grade 10, doctors found cancer in her lungs, and she had a lower lobe removed.
Miche spent up to nine months out of school but kept up with her schoolwork and progressed to Grade 12. She said she never thought of giving up, as she was focused on making a future for herself.
“It was overwhelming as I had a lot of obstacles, and I was always looked at because I looked different and walked differently, but I was just thinking about my future," she said.
"I want to get married and work and I thought if I give up now, then all the work I had already put in would have been for nothing.”
Miche said she will be studying social work and hopes to inspire others not to give up: “I didn’t want to give up because some of the children at the hospital didn’t make it and I wanted to make it to be able to spread that across the world.”
The top three matriculants in the Western Cape, which included the top pupil in the province and country, Conrad Strydom were also honoured.
Conrad Strydom from Onrus River on the Overberg coast is also the overall best performer in mathematics. Picture: Supplied
“I will be studying theoretical physics and I really dream of having my own research company. I want to be able to do something that will have an impact on the lives of all people,” he said.
Hannah Clayton (Rustenburg Girls’ High) and Christine Vivier (De Kuilen High) were tied for second, while Jacobie Mouton came third.
Jacobie said she was expecting to do well, but not “seven distinctions well”.
“It was just through lots of hard work and you cannot start in matric, you have to start from the beginning. Work always came first, but you must do sports and go out with friends, otherwise you won’t be able to function properly,” Jacobie said.
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said she was delighted at the progress made by the province in the past seven years.
“Many may have thought this impossible a few years ago. With the collective effort of all staff, teachers, parents and pupils they have shown that it is not,” Schafer said.