Top two learners, Husna Hafejee of Al-Falaah College in KZN and Grace Kelly Prowse of Rustenburg Girls’ High in the Western Cape tied first place and were crowned the top achievers in the country for the Class of 2022’s NSC exams.

Husnaa Haffejee from Al-Falaah College tells us about being crowned as top achievers in the country.

My name is Husnaa Haffejee and I recently graduated from Al-Falaah College as the Head Girl of the class of 2022. I am honoured to have been acknowledged as one of South Africa’s top achievers. I can’t fully express my gratitude to first and foremost Allah (SWT), and to my parents, family, principals, teachers and peers who have offered me their support and guidance.

I joined the Al-Falaah College family in grade 5, my parents having decided to return from England to South Africa where they grew up. Alhamdulillah, by the Grace and Mercy of Allah (SWT), I have maintained my position as top student ever since. As such, I received a full scholarship throughout my high school career.

I am forever grateful for the education and experiences Al-Falaah College has given to me. The school is a beacon of Islamic education and has provided me with a solid foundation in both secular and religious knowledge. The teachers and staff at Al-Falaah College have been instrumental in my academic success, and I am eternally grateful for their backing and counsel.

Al-Falaah College consistently offered me opportunities to develop and showcase my skills. I have represented the school in numerous competitions. In grade 6, I received a gold medal for placing amongst the top 1% in the world in the international ICAS examination. During my matric year, I participated in the National Afrikaans Olympiad and Alhamdulillah placed first in KZN and third in the country. This achievement was notable as I was the only non-Afrikaans name amongst the top achievers. I hold this particular achievement dear to me as when I initially returned from England, I did not know a single word of Afrikaans and was tackling an unknown subject.

I believe that my faith has played a significant role in the success I have achieved. Islam teaches us to strive to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave, and instils within us as Muslims an appreciation for learning and teaching. This has definitely helped me to remain focused and motivated throughout my schooling career.

I would like to especially thank my parents, who have always stood by me and encouraged me to pursue my ambitions. Whenever I doubted myself, they were always there to reassure me of my abilities and I will be eternally indebted to them. I would also like to thank my grandparents, who have always kept me in their duas, my wonderful sister who I could not do without and family and friends who have supported me. As they say, no man is an island, and I could not have come this far on my own.

Alhumdulillah, it has been an honour and a privilege to be a student of Al-Falaah College. I will always cherish the memories and lessons that I have learned there, and I look forward to using my education to make a positive impact in the world. I am excited for the next chapter in my life, and in shaa Allah with the support of my loved ones and the guidance of my faith, I will be able to achieve great things.

Husnaa Haffejee from Al-Falaah College