Al-Qalam 
By Azra Hoosen
Matriculants at Durban’s Orient Islamic School have once again achieved a 100% pass rate for the sixth consecutive year. The pupils were recently honoured at a special event following the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.
The school’s top achiever, Atiyyah Limalia, earned eight distinctions and was recognised as one of the top learners in the country, placing her second nationally in the Independent Schools’ category. Her achievements were also celebrated at a prestigious event at the Durban ICC.
Reflecting on her journey, Atiyyah expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout the year. “I’m extremely proud of myself, but, you know, when we learn about Islam, you’re supposed to stay humble about it,” she told Al-Qalam. “Shukr, it is a momentous occasion, and I’m so proud of all the hard work that I’ve put through to achieve this,” she said.
Atiyyah’s success story is deeply rooted in her connection to her school and community. Having attended Orient Islamic School since Grade 1, she described it as a second home. “Being elected head girl at the end of Grade 11 was an honour, and now I’ve brought another prestigious achievement to my school,” she said.
Her academic strengths leaned toward science subjects like maths and physics, though she also worked hard to excel in languages she found challenging. “I struggled with English and Afrikaans, but I worked hard and achieved distinctions in both,” she shared. Atiyyah credited her teachers for playing a pivotal role in her success. “I can’t choose a particular teacher because all my teachers played a very big role from the time I was in Grade 1,” she said.
Faith also played a central role in helping Atiyyah manage the pressures of matric. “The thing that got me through was my zikr, my daily zikr. I woke up for Tahajjud almost every single day,” she said. “My Salaah, my dua, and allocating time after Asr to relax and connect through the Quran, helped me manage the stress.”
Her resilience was tested further after the loss of her father in 2023, during her Grade 11 year. “Instead of using it as something that held me back, someone told me: ‘Do what would have made him proud.’ That single line kept me going every single day,” she said. “I know that today, if he was here, he would have been most proud of me. I’ve brought honour to the name that I carry.”
The achievements of the Class of 2024 were not limited to individual success stories. Speaking to Al-Qalam, Head boy Suhail Subrati credited his success to the collective support of teachers, parents, and peers. “The help from my teachers, parents, and friends made everything more manageable,” he said. Offering advice to future matriculants, he added, “Be patient and persevere. Matric is as challenging as people say, but determination pays off.”
The school’s educators also emphasised the collective effort behind these results. Ivan Thompson, Academic Head of ICT, told Al-Qalam about the importance of community support and additional resources. “With help from parents and educators, and extra lessons during the week and weekends, we’re very happy with the results,” he said.
Deputy Principal Jamila Desai highlighted the long-term dedication involved. “Matric is a journey that begins in Grade 8,” she said. She emphasised that the celebration includes all the educators who have worked tirelessly over the years. “We pride ourselves on being a community school that supports all learners, not just top achievers,” said Desai.
The last word of advice came from Atiyyah: “The most important thing for people to do is to get mentally prepared for this year. Matric is a roller coaster of emotions. You’re going to feel pressured, but getting yourself mentally prepared from the beginning is the most important thing you can do.”
