Overcoming a debilitating speech impediment for much of his life did not deter Livingstone High alumnus Adam Mohamed from clinching seven distinctions in matric and a coveted space to study actuarial science at the University of Cape Town in 2022.
The Grassy Park resident says his stutter may have prevented him from speaking up for much of his school life but it did not stop him from achieving seven distinctions.
“My greatest challenge growing up was my speech impediment which I developed when I was younger. Knowing what to say but not being able to say it was a tough pill to swallow throughout my school life.
“I always had the ambition to be the top student in my school, but my stutter was really demotivating.”
After a second year of Covid-19 hardship, Mohamed says Grade 12 was daunting and challenging, with the various disruptions impacting him physically and emotionally.
“Thankfully, my parents and family were always there to help and guide me when I needed it, while the supplementary classes offered by the Engen Maths and Science School programme provided that little bit extra to achieve the results that I expected from myself.
“I needed the extra help in areas I found challenging because our school time was shortened by Covid-19 disruptions but the quantity of work was still a lot.”
The Engen Maths and Science Schools programme has run for over 30 years. It offers underprivileged Grade 10-12 learners free supplementary Maths, Science and English tuition on Saturdays at nine locations across South Africa.
Mohamed is now set for big things which he says is all thanks to his mother.
“She pushed me to work hard on days that I really did not want to and always saw my potential even though I couldn’t see it which was instrumental in helping me believe in myself,” he says.
The young man adds that people should never limit their potential.
“Always strive to achieve something that others would see as ‘impossible’.
His hope for the future is to complete his degree and build a career that allows him to support his family.
“I also hope that I will be able to give back to my community as they have always supported me, and I’ve witnessed many hardships. I want to make all those who believed in me proud and to become the best version of myself.”
