Persistence and tenacity

This month we’ve changed gears with a more personal story, one of persistence and tenacity.

Persistence - noun the fact of continuing in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

Through this Covid period, we’ve heard alot about the difficulties people have experienced and school children are no exception. Since February this year, children have also had to pivot and adapt to a different way of life and their schooling has been one area that has been significantly impacted.

Meet Oshai Naidoo.

Oshai is in her final year of school which is challenging at the best of times, but this year has been extraordinary. The disruption of school this year has meant many changes including moving to online classes and being distanced from friends and family. And one thing is for sure, 2020 will certainly be a year that will be remembered for many years to come.

The tenacity that Oshai has shown during her final year of secondary schooling demonstrates that at every stage of life we can be confronted with trying and challenging times, but we always have a choice. Whether you’re a toddler perfecting the art of walking, working hard at school during your teenage years or a business owner making tough decisions, you will always be tested. But pushing yourself and consistently demonstrating your persistence and tenacity is the key to achieving success in any area of your life.

The benefits of persistence and tenacity

Oshai Naidoo attends the Holy Rosary School in Johannesburg, South Africa. The highest award that can be bestowed on a Holy Rosary girl is the white Honours Blazer. In order to receive this award the recipient needs to meet the following criteria:

• At least three Full Colours awards
• Be an active member of at least one of the Grade 12 committees
• And at all times behave in a manner which is fully in keeping with the Holy Rosary Ethos and display all round excellence.

Oshai Naidoo is a young lady who has met the above criteria and as a result has received her Honours Blazer.

This young lady has FULL COLOURS for:

• Academics
• Public Speaking
• Service

She has an Apostolate Merit as well as a Gold Respice Stellam Award. In order to achieve full colours for service she needed to serve the community for a period of 3 years. She would also have needed to serve the school in a wide variety of activities.

She has earned the following awards to attest for her service to school:

• Hospitality Service Merit
• Public Relations Service Merit
• Technical Crew Service Merit
• Apostolate Merit
• Gold Respice Stellam

Pictured above, Oshai is awarded her White Blazer this year, which was a very proud moment for her and her family.

A passionate and enthusiastic young lady, well beyond her years who has this advice to offer fellow students:

1. Be mindful and present - enjoy the process and getting to where you want to be rather than rushing through to get to your end result.
2. Acknowledge your achievements and recognise your capabilities. Don’t undermine yourself.
3. There is always going to be disappointment and failure, but you have to persevere. Don’t give up. You have to work hard, and you’ll need to make sacrifices but it will be worth it in the end.

A testament to her continued hard work, persistence, tenacity and determination, Oshai will go on to pursue a career in engineering.

Well done Oshai! How blessed you are and I’m humbled to be your aunt. - Joshna Daya, Your Business Momentum