Grade 8 learner Ashley Mombe shines in Soweto Schools Magazine’s Term 2 Academic Excellence Competition
There was a special atmosphere at KwaNtsikana Junior Secondary School in Orlando West, Soweto, today as teachers, learners, partners and guests gathered to celebrate academic excellence. The occasion was the prize-giving ceremony for Ashley Mombe, a Grade 8 learner who emerged as the top-performing learner in the Soweto Schools Magazine Term 2 Academic Excellence Competition. Ashley was selected from entries submitted by schools across Soweto after the magazine invited schools to nominate their best-performing learner for Term 2 of 2026.
The initiative was started by Soweto Schools Magazine as part of its commitment to recognising learners who are working hard and achieving outstanding academic results. The vision is simple but powerful: to celebrate academic achievement, encourage learners to take their education seriously and shine a spotlight on the many talented young people doing exceptionally well in Soweto schools. This term, it was KwaNtsikana Junior Secondary School that had reason to celebrate, with Ashley’s impressive results earning her the top position among the entries received.
For KwaNtsikana Junior Secondary School and its Principal, Mrs Makitla, the achievement is an important moment for the school. Ashley’s success is a reflection of the hard work of the learner, her teachers and the support she receives from the school community. The prize-giving also gave the school an opportunity to celebrate one of its young stars in front of fellow learners and partners who came together to encourage her achievement. The message to other learners was equally clear: hard work, discipline and dedication to schoolwork can open doors.
Ashley did not leave the ceremony empty-handed. The prize package brought together support from several organisations and businesses that believe in encouraging academic excellence among young people. Soweto Schools Magazine awarded her a R500 cash prize, while I Deserve Spa Beauty contributed a voucher for a free massage for Ashley and her Teacher . Soweto Swim School rewarded her with a voucher for swimming lessons valued at R2,300, giving Ashley an opportunity to develop a skill outside the classroom. FLIC_SA (Financial Literacy & Inclusion Centre of Southern Africa offered her financial literacy mentorship, while the Department of Accountancy at the University of Johannesburg presented her with a goodie bag.
The partnership behind the prizes is an important part of what makes the initiative exciting. Soweto Schools Magazine is not only celebrating a learner’s marks; it is bringing businesses, organisations and educational institutions together to invest in the development of young people. The magazine hopes that the programme will continue to grow every term, creating even more opportunities for learners who are putting in the work in classrooms across Soweto.
And now comes the challenge to every school in Soweto: Who will be next? The Term 2 competition has shown that outstanding academic talent can be found in every corner of the township. Schools are encouraged to participate in the next round and give their top-performing learners an opportunity to be recognised. For learners, the message is even simpler: study hard, give your best and let your results speak for you. Ashley has set the standard for this term, and the next winner could be sitting in a classroom at any school in Soweto.
Soweto Schools Magazine congratulates Ashley, Mrs Makitla, the teachers and the entire KwaNtsikana Junior Secondary School community on this achievement. The hope is that Ashley’s success will inspire many more learners to believe that academic excellence deserves to be celebrated—and that the next prize-giving ceremony could be happening at their school.
