TOP achiever Zion Fiellies of Hanover Park has been given a lekker head start to her high school journey thanks to Daily Voice readers who paid for her school fees, school uniform and stationery for this year.
The 13-year-old slimkop, featured in the Daily Voice on 7 December 2025 while attending Parkfields Primary School where she finished top in her grade, scooping eleven trophies and was named valedictorian for 2025.
The family and her former teacher appealed for assistance with funding or bursary opportunities as the family is not financially stable with her mother receiving a SASSA grant and her father taking on odd jobs to make ends meet.
The family said that the article was a blessing as readers reached out with more than they could have hoped for.
A grateful Zion said: “I am so thankful for all the sponsors who assisted with school supplies. The sponsors paid for my school’s fees for this year, stationery and uniform. I was the top overall learner for Grade 7 and had an average of 98.6 percent, I came first in all my subjects.
“I am excited to be at high school - it is a new environment and new teachers. I want to continue to achieve the highest marks.”
Zion said that she wants to be a veterinarian one day as she loves animals.
Zion’s mother, Eleanor Fiellies said she is proud of her daughter as all her hard work paid off.
She said: “I encourage her to do better because she has what it takes. I always tell her everyday how proud I am of her but there is always room for improvement.”