​​​Stellenbosch University (SU) seeks to attract top talent. And judging by the 2022 first-year intake, the institution is undoubtedly achieving this aim. In addition to Ulrich le Roux, South Africa's top-performing National Senior Certificate (NSC) candidate for 2021, the learners who came second and third in the country are both also bound for Maties.

Simone Wessels, who ranked second, will be studying for a bachelor's degree in Accounting, while third-placed Ah-Young Moon will enrol for Actuarial Sciences.

A dream come true

“It has always been my dream to study at Stellenbosch University," says Simone, who attended Stellenberg High School. “Apart from the high quality of education the University provides, I love the beautiful setting of the campus. I can't wait to walk those streets. I'm also excited to experience life in Nerina, as I've never lived in residence before."

She has always been passionate about accounting, so she had no difficulty in choosing a study programme. “My mother is an accountant, so I'm familiar with the field," she explains. “As soon as I started with Accounting as a subject in Grade 8, I knew that was what I wanted to study." Simone says she hopes to complete her three-year degree and then do her honours, followed by her articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers. “After that, I might consider working overseas for a while."

The feeling when she heard she'd ended second in matric nationwide was indescribable. “It didn't sink in till much later. I was surprised and so excited."

Asked about the secret to her success, she says: “For me, it was self-discipline. I kept focused on my goals. I didn't dwell on how hard things were in the moment. I planned my study goals for each day and made sure I achieved them." She also drew motivation from something her dad had told her: “He once said: 'If you're going to choose a year to do your best, let it be matric.'" Instead of allowing the pandemic to throw her out of her stride, she found she was in fact paying more attention to her studies, as there were fewer distractions.

Campus of choice

For Ah-Young too, SU was the natural choice. Born in Korea, she moved to South Africa with her missionary parents in 2004, when she was one year old. The family settled in Stellenbosch and Au-Young completed her matric at Rhenish Girls' High School.

“Stellenbosch University provides world-class education and a wide range of opportunities for students," she says. “As someone who has lived in Stellenbosch for many years, I know that the beautiful campus provides a special experience." Studying at SU will also enable her to continue volunteering in a large informal settlement outside Franschhoek, where her parents have built a church.

Ah-Young was visiting South Korea with her mother when she received the news that she had ended third overall in the NSC exams. “I felt really grateful." She watched the matric awards ceremony live on YouTube from Seoul.

She believes one of the best tips for doing well in the exams is “to figure out what works best for you". She adds: “Everyone is unique, so continue trying different study methods, different highlighters and different study snacks until you find what suits you when studying. Once you do that, you'll find yourself slowly improving."