Star College pupils excel in National Afrikaans Olympiad

Star College Durban pupils have earned national recognition for their Afrikaans skills, achieving strong results in both the senior and junior sections of the 2026 DANKIE Afrikaans Olympiad. In the senior section, grade 12 pupil Aryan Mohunlal won gold, placing among the top five per cent nationally. This accomplishment demonstrates the pupils' language skills and their ability to compete at a national level.

In addition to Aryan Mohunlal's gold medal, grade 11 pupil Shreyan Govender and grade 12 pupil Nakshartra Eedara each received silver certificates, ranking in the top 10 percent. Their achievements reflect the school's strong language program and the pupils' dedication to developing their Afrikaans skills. The school's performance in the senior section highlights its commitment to language education.

The school also performed strongly in the junior section, which drew 814 pupils from across South Africa. Of Star College's 22 entrants, grade nine pupil Yaqeen Alli achieved gold and placed in the national top five percent. This achievement is a testament to the school's ability to nurture young talent and provide a supportive learning environment.

Other notable achievements in the junior section include grade eight pupil Anish Rajendraprasadh, who received silver, placing in the top 10 percent. Grade nine pupil Bahiya Mullah was named the 'Most Improved Learner at an Independent School' nationally. These accomplishments demonstrate the school's ability to support pupils at various levels and help them achieve their full potential.

Across the Olympiad, Star College placed second nationally for the seniors for overall participation and first among independent schools. This achievement reflects the school's strong commitment to language education and its ability to compete with other schools at a national level. The school's performance is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its pupils and teachers.

The school thanked Mrs Senela Singh and Mrs Suri Pather for preparing the senior pupils, Mrs Sarojini Naidoo and Mrs Zeldine Gordon for the junior pupils, and Mrs Gordon for co-ordinating the entries. The school congratulated all the participating pupils and teachers on their achievements, recognizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving success.

Taking part in language Olympiads gives pupils the opportunity to extend their skills beyond the classroom, build confidence in reading and writing, and develop a deeper appreciation of Afrikaans and its cultural heritage. By participating in these events, pupils can gain valuable experience and develop essential skills that will benefit them in their academic and professional careers.

Key points

• Star College Durban pupils achieve strong results in 2026 DANKIE Afrikaans Olympiad.