Samkelisiwe Xulu, a 32-year-old mother of three, has triumphed over adversity by passing her matric with six distinctions and a B aggregate, more than a decade after leaving school.
Xulu dropped out to pursue traditional healing as a sangoma, but when that path proved difficult, she worked low-paying jobs before deciding to return to education. Supported by her family, she enrolled in Grade 11 in 2024 at Sinenhlanhla Secondary School in Glendale.
Her return was challenging. She faced bullying and isolation from younger classmates, who sometimes called her a witch or dismissed her academic success due to her age. However, with encouragement from her teachers, Xulu persevered.
She has now been accepted to study law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Xulu said she was motivated by a desire to fight injustice and give herself a voice.
Her message to others is clear: “Never be ashamed of where you come from… Focus on your dreams and keep going, no matter what people say.”