Crawford International Sandton top achiever, Chisomo Boshoma, received 11 distinctions for the IEB class of 2024 matric exams. Picture: supplied
Chess master and Crawford International Sandton top achiever, Chisomo Boshoma, received 11 distinctions for the IEB class of 2024 matric exams.
While matric was overloaded with school work, it also was a year of self-discovery filled with excitement.
Boshoma noted her time-management skills were tested as she juggled between her academics, leadership roles and chess tournaments that took place during crucial assessments.
Boshoma was absent from school for a month as she represented South Africa at the African Chess Championships, and South African Closed Chess Championships, which coincided with several tests.
However, she prevailed and achieved distinctions in all her subjects for the preliminary examinations.
“It was not easy and took immense self-discipline and hard work. I wrote a test early in the morning before my flight, another during the chess tournament, and one more on a weekend in the short interval between the two tournaments,” she said.
Boshoma’s dedication towards her academics and sports earned her the Golden Achiever of the Year Award.
She is also a recipient of the Benjamin Levin Double Distinction trophy for attaining the highest number of distinctions in double digits for her grade.
Boshoma currently also holds the Woman Candidate Master title to her name.
“I participated in the Annual IT Showcase where I was able to achieve first place for developing my Chess Opening Learner Program. These achievements granted me the opportunity to be on Metro FM in order to inspire others and especially the matrics who at the time were approaching final exams,” said Chisomo.
Starting high school during peak Covid-19 and adapting to remote learning was unsettling for the extrovert.
However, the hard lockdown instilled in Boshoma self-discipline, where she set academic goals and invested in her maths skills.
“Two of these goals were to achieve the gold medal for maths, and to make it to the last round of the South African Maths Olympiad. I achieved these goals by using the extra time from lockdown to do past maths Olympiad papers as well as to study the graduate management assessment task textbook which elevated my maths skills,” she said.
Boshoma further adopted a positive attitude and focused on her mental health.
The mathematician’s problem-solving skills and being a coding enthusiast positioned her to study Actuarial Science at UCT to navigate the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“These skills are crucial to an aspiring actuary such as I. I also intend to continue my chess career throughout my tertiary studies. My ultimate goal is to become a Woman Grand Master, which is challenging, but I love challenges,” she said.
Boshoma stressed the importance of time management and having the sense of urgency for the class of 2025.
The Star
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