Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
BACK in the years, there was once a television series dubbed The A-Team whose cast included Faceman, Mad Murdock, main actor, B.A Baracus, who played by Mr T and Hannibal Smith.
The film blended intense action sequences, big explosions, and comedic moments as the actors executed their audacious plans.
In equal measure, but on academic front, with an equally audacious plan to undertake and pass SEVEN A-Level Science subjects, St Augustine’s High School produced what could best be described as The A-Team.
The Anglican Diocese of Manicaland-run school quartet of – Mathews Tatenda Mhlanga, Bradley Makacha, Takudzwanashe Mtetwa and Rosewell Tapomwa – scooped 35 points in the 2025 ZIMSEC A-Level science examinations.
Although the debate on the need for learners to undertake many subjects both at O and A-Level rages on social media and public spaces, The Manica Post tracked the four candidates who scooped 35 points at A-Level to find out the secret behind the exceptional success.
Naturally, the first question would be how they balanced time to cover all the seven Science subjects at a time when their colleagues would be struggling with three.
Mathews Mhlanga, who undertook Computer Science, Chemistry, Pure Mathematics, Physics, Additional Mathematics, Mechanical Mathematics and Statistics had this to say – “I would not have accomplished this without the teamwork of my other three colleagues. We would wake up at 2am and return to bed at around 4am. During that time, we would teach ourselves those subjects that we were not doing in school – Mechanical and Additional Mathematics. In school, we were doing the other five. We would then join others in the normal school routine school day.
“After that we would have the prep study from 6pm to 8pm. During some free periods, we would go to the library to read or revise papers by ourselves. We would extend study by one hour. However, before extending the study time, we would take about 30 minutes to relax because the human mind by nature needs to unwind after such long periods of intense concentration.
“I should also hasten to mention that there is a teacher at St Augustine’s who took his time to help us a lot in the two subjects that were not taught at school. That was Mr Simukai Mudare. He was of great assistance to us.”
Mathews cited the abundance of free time he had in Form Five, when he was studying four subjects, as a motivating factor in taking up seven subjects.
“In Form Five, we had a lot of free time. I was doing four subjects in Form Five – Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, and Pure Mathematics. That was when it occurred to us that we could do three more subjects by ourselves. Honestly, the second reason is my brother, Lyton Tanaka Mhlanga, who got 17 As at O-Level, and 29 out of 39 points at A-Level doing Cambridge. This motivated me to do the same. In fact, I wanted to do eight subjects, but I was restricted to seven.”
Mathews also said he wanted to inspire others, particularly his peers in Manicaland.
“We always hear of such achievements from schools like Pamushana and others elsewhere,” he said.
Regarding his tertiary education plans, Mathews said: “I want to do Computer Science or Actuarial Sciences,” following in the footsteps of his brother, who is studying Computer Science and Economics at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, USA.
Mathews’ exceptional performance began early; at O-Level, he passed with 11 As and two Bs, having scored six units at Grade Seven.
Despite his packed schedule, Mathews made time to play football during holidays, playing as a forward for Muvhuro Chipika and Tafadzwa Matipano-founded Reactors Junior Football Club in Chikanga, a high-density suburb. The club’s foundation was built on addressing drug and substance abuse among youngsters.
When asked why he opted for seven subjects when three can secure university admission, Mathews explained: “Most people do not understand my motivation. For me, it was about standing out. I dream of studying at Cambridge University, and how can you grab their attention with just 15 points? Almost anyone can do that. I am passionate about Mathematics, which is why I did different types of the same subject.”
His colleagues also shared their thoughts.
Bradley Makacha attributed his success to steady preparation and discipline.
“I believe this achievement came from steady preparation and discipline. Even though the subjects were challenging, I focused on understanding the core ideas and practising regularly, putting in more work than my peers. My fellow friends and I who did the same subjects urged each other to work hard; sometimes we had discussions together, which really helped us all get where we got. I plan to do both Medicine and Applied Mathematics at university. This is not about family DNA. Apparently, I am the best in my bloodline so far,” he said.
Takudzwanashe Mtetwa attributed his success to the support and hard work his colleagues, friends and teachers.
“To be honest, it was all the support and hard work from my fellow colleagues, friends, and teachers. We also motivated each other as learners from the very first day we started doing seven subjects and worked as a team. I did my O-Level at the same school, St Augustine’s, and I passed with 10As and three Bs doing Sciences. The dream was to become a doctor from a young age, and it is still my goal. I am aspiring to be a doctor and undertake the training at the University of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Rosewell Tapomwa chipped in and said: “Actually, it was just me aiming for something that I knew I could get because I really trust my intelligence, and also a little of hard work. This experience also taught me a lot of important lessons that will help me in my life. It is not really about my bloodline, many people in our family are intelligent, but we have only had 14 points and 15 points in the family,” he said.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the story of the St Augustine’s High School quartet who attained a staggering 35 points at the ZIMSEC A-Level Science subjects in the 2025 examinations!
