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National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)

Lomso Dumezweni is studying Medicine

Lomso Dumezweni is studying Medicine at the University of Cape Town. He attended high school at Nyanga Secondary School.

If you achieve your goals you are an achiever. To be an achiever you have to set goals for yourself and do all you can to achieve those goals, obviously your goals have to be SMART.

Tell us a bit about your school?

 

Nyanga High School is a rural school that is about 5km away from Ngcobo town. It is a school that has been showing excellent results and produce national top achievers annually. We as learners work under difficult conditions such as not having access to internet, computers and science labs. Despite all those challenges the teachers try their best to produce the best possible results.

Why do you think some people have a problem with math and science? What would you do to solve the problem?

     

Math and science are practical subjects that require a lot of time to practice. Most people have an attitude towards these subjects before they even tackle and face the challenges. If you tell yourself that you don’t know something, automatically you will not. This is the same as people’s attitude towards these subjects. Learners must not go a day without solving a problem in these subjects, because that is how you train brain for them: solving problems, stretching your level of thinking. If learners can collect a lot of questions from past question papers and do them, they will see a big difference in their performance. I suggest that before one writes an examination, you must practise using at least three question papers. Do the first one to see what you still remember and what you do not, after that go and study, try to grab more of what you’ve identified as “forgotten”. Write the second paper to fix your mistakes from the previous one. When you are done you will again notice your mistakes. Don’t be lazy to take the last paper. Write this one under exam conditions, set the exact time that will be allocated for the exam, write neatly and accurately as you would want to do for your exam. The marks that you will get on this one will be a reflection of what you will get in your exam. By doing so you will write the examination with no fear or pressure.

Why did you enjoy science and maths?

Math and science test your level of reasoning, they give you a challenge that, if you pass it you will feel the achievement. I enjoyed these subjects because if you grab the concept from day one there is no way that you will lose it along the way. These subjects open your brain and deepen your reasoning ability.

What inspires you?

 

I am from an area where many young people do not finish school. After grade 12 they do nothing. I therefore need to set an example and show them that your background does not need to determine your future but rather that what you are capable of as a person.

A message to South African youth?

To the South African youth from disadvantaged backgrounds: It in in your hands to change the situation at home, you have no financial resources to change the situation, the only resource that you can use is your brain. If you use your brain to study, then the possibilities are you will put your family in a better situation, as well as the country at large.

Any tips for learners in grades 11 and 12?

 

You need to prioritise your studies, put in maximum effort so that at the end of the day you will not regret the results that you get. Your results depend on what you do on a daily basis. Use all the available resources to be on top of your work. Don’t wait for the examination season to start studying, study each day as if you are writing a final exam on the following day. Do not be too hard on yourself, if you feel tired, drink a lot of water and rest, your brain works well after a healthy rest.

What advice do you have for matriculants who have to apply for places in higher education institutions?

 

You know yourself and you know what you are capable of. Do not be mislead by your peers, apply for a course that is best suitable for you. Apply at an institution that is best suited for you, be it a University, University of Technology or a College. You have to try to widen your opportunities by applying to various institutions and for different courses, but obviously starting with the one that you want the most. Avoid late applications and do not relax when you get a provisional acceptance, it does not mean you are accepted.

Understanding excellence – what makes an achiever?

If you achieve your goals you are an achiever. To be an achiever you have to set goals for yourself and do all you can to achieve those goals, obviously your goals have to be SMART. You must be hungry for achievement, and be passionate about your goals. Block all distractions and be a master at single-tasking.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

10 years from now I see myself as a dedicated and successful medical doctor who is serving the most disadvantaged communities in our country.

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