Namibia’s high-flyer

After outperforming all the Namibian learners who registered for their NSSCH examinations in 2018, Sharzaan Putter speaks to The Zone about her achievements and future plans.
Tunohole Mungoba
Tunohole Mungoba

After completing her Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate for Higher Level (NSSCH) examinations at Windhoek Gymnasium last year, Sharzaan Putter (18) did not imagine she would come out on top as the best performer.

“I received the news at the press conference hosted by the ministry of education in Windhoek before the results were released and was caught completely off-guard.

“I went into my final examinations with only one thing in mind, which was honouring God with what He blessed me with and to ensure a good future, so the news made me ecstatic, and having my uncle from Cape Town there made it even more special,” Putter said.

“I am truly grateful for the most part, as I know that I am truly blessed with an amazing ability to understand and apply knowledge. It also makes me feel that with God by my side, I can do absolutely anything, and that despite the struggles, hard work always pays off.”

Putter describes herself as a coffee-loving 18-year-old who has always believed that if your efforts match your dreams, you will be able to achieve anything.

Born in Bloemfontein, Putter and her family lived in Taung, a small town situated in the North West province of South Africa.

“This community was so small that it did not even have a hospital,” Putter explained.

She and her family then moved to Klerksdorp and soon after to Namibia, which is not only her parents’ home country, but has been Putter’s home for the past 10 years.

Putter tells The Zone she started studying a month before her examinations and has always been committed to her books.

“I divided all the units I had to study across each day and some days it was a challenge to stick to that timetable. I also took reasonable breaks and tried to get seven hours sleep a night,” she says.

“I then ensured that I had enough time left before an exam to work through question papers, old tests and worksheets, and to ask my teachers for assistance if I found something that I did not understand. As I studied, I also made notes of things to remember, which I read through the morning before the exam.”

According to Putter, she also made sure she was calm before every exam and spent a few minutes in prayer.

“Many times I found questions that seemed impossible, but after takings deep breaths and coming back to the question, I got an answer. The only way to get excellent results is to put in the work. I did my best and God did the rest.”

Putter will be studying actuarial science at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa’s Western Cape province, where her father studied and her sister is currently studying.

“Mathematics has always been one of my best subjects that I also enjoyed most and after job-shadowing many people in different careers, I decided to go for an aptitude test which pointed me directly to actuarial science, and after having a look at what they do, I knew this was it,” she said.

“I was drawn by the versatility of the degree, as it would allow me to go anywhere and branch into other careers as well.”

Besides her studies, Putter also enjoys archery as a sport.

“I also enjoy hunting, shooting and even fishing, as my dad’s hobbies definitely rubbed off on me. I also enjoy writing, especially poems.”

Putter’s said the new curriculum is “good as we are starting to move past the norm, and grow and explore new curriculums”.

“I think children will be more driven to work, as more is at stake. As far as benefiting the Namibian child, I believe that the attitudes of the teachers and learners towards the curriculum will determine its success.”

Putter advises young people to always give their all in every task, assignment and test.

“Having an education might be a human right, but that does not mean that it is not a privilege. Draw inspiration from your parents; strive to exceed their expectations and allow them to dream with you.”