Mitchell’s Plain’s top pupil Ham-ima Hullah, 18, from Spine Road High was honoured at the Western Cape National Senior Certificate awards ceremony at Premier Helen Zille’s Leeuwenhof residence last week.
With a remarkable 95 percent and eight distinctions, the Lentegeur matriculant is ready to take on the world. “I am nervous and excited at the same time, because it is something new. At the awards ceremony when I heard my name, I got butterflies in my stomach and when I stood on the stage, it felt amazing,” she said.
Hamima was one of 100 Western Cape pupils who received awards for academic achievements.
Hamima, who is from Bangladesh, came to South Africa when she was nine years old. At the time, she could not speak English. She attended Rylands Primary School and was held back two years. “I was in Grade 5 in my country, and then had to take two years back as I could not communicate and write fluently in English. So throughout my school years I had to work harder, read books and socialise to improve the language,” she said.
Of Spine Road High, Hamima said: “The school is well disciplined and the staff pushes you to do well. I have had great support from my teachers, principal and more importantly my family, throughout the years and I am very grateful for that,” she said.
Hamima said her aim had been to make the merit list. “I had a goal and I worked really hard to reach it. When I received my results, I thought I wasn’t going to make it because I expected higher marks. But when I received the news, I was surprised and overjoyed,” she said.
Hamima will be going to UCT this year to study actuarial science. “I chose this field because I love maths and numbers. It allows you to solve problems and challenges you,” she said.
Other than working with numbers, Hamima also enjoys hiking and playing softball.