Thato Mangoetse, 19, wakes up at 5am to read mystery novels to improve his English.
The matriculant arrives at school at 7am to discuss homework assignments with friends - one more step towards achieving his goal of four distinctions in the coming matric exams.
Mangoetse, a pupil at Naledi High, in Soweto, attends extra classes after school and on Saturdays.
He is determined not to end up like many former Naledi pupils who, he says, "walk around, doing nothing" all day. Only 36.4% of matrics at the school passed last year.
Mangoetse, who wants to study journalism at the University of Johannesburg next year, lives with his 84-year-old grandmother. His mother died when he was 11. His father disappeared when he was younger.
He says his grandmother is 100% behind him: "She helps me with my Tswana and does my chores so that I can do my homework. She always says she wants to ride in my car one day."
Mangoetse goes to bed only at midnight.
"I love reading economics at night. I also study ahead. When a teacher reaches a section it's like revision for me."
Mangoetse says living in a poor area motivates him to study even harder.
"I feel privileged to experience the poor life. If you don't fight, you're not going to achieve.
"Education is my first priority."
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
