Tafadzwa Makhuza or Taffy is at the top of her game at Jeppe Girls. This deputy head girl, is a top ten achiever in her grade, and also represents the school at netball and chess. She is fully involved in school activities including crocheting this beautiful blanket for Carolyn Steyn's 67 Blankets for Mandela Campaign. One of her early memories of Jeppe Girls was Professor Block’s address in 2014 when he said, “I am a star born to shine”. She took that message on board and is proud of what she has achieved across the rich tapestry of activities offered at Jeppe. An A team chess player since Form 1, she also plays Goal Shooter for the top Netball team, was a first soprano in the school choir and helps on the sidelines of the annual drama production. She has played netball and chess at four National Girls Festivals and recalls her first flight to the event in Port Elizabeth with wonder and delight. As a Ruth First scholarship recipient, she has met a number of prominent South Africans over the years including Ahmed Kathrada, Trevor Manuel, George Bizos and Gill Marcus. She reflects how meeting these eminent people, as opposed to just reading about them, makes them so much more real and is a humbling experience. Describing her own leadership style which was refined during the GIBS Spirit of Youth programme, Taffy says that anyone can be a leader - you just have to be willing to take the first step, which is often out of your comfort zone. As Nerina house captain, she has learned to be assertive and to have the courage to follow through on decisions made, ensuring that execution takes place. Taffy’s favorite subjects include Geography, Design and English. She particularly enjoys creative and descriptive writing and participated in the English Olympiad last term. In ten years time, she sees herself making a difference in the environmental sphere - her passion is for the human side of geography. Her dream is to study at Wits next year.