GEORGE NEWS - The 15-year-old Ludolph Pedro, talented piano player from George, received some of the highest accolades for his talent. He was awarded the prestigious Hennie Joubert Merit Prize for the fifth time for his outstanding performance during the Unisa examinations.

He was the recipient of this prize in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. This merit prize is awarded to candidates who have excelled in the practical or theoretical music examinations conducted by the Directorate of Music. 

Only the top two candidates per grade qualify for this award.

Ludolph has excelled in all his Unisa examinations and obtained Roll of Honour (90% and above) for all his practical and theoretical examinations.

He achieved:

• 97% for Unisa Pregrade 1 in 2013 (age 9)
• 98% for Unisa Grade 1 in 2014 (age 10)
• 96% for Unisa Grade 3 in 2016 (age 12)
• 97% for Unisa Grade 4 in 2017 (age 13)
• 96% for Unisa Theory Grade 4 in 2018 (age 14)

Following his excellent past results and accomplishments, Ludolph decided that it would be a greater challenge to skip the Grade 5 practical examination and entered Grade 6, for which he earned 94%.

Ludolph has recently received the results of his 2019 examinations. He had obtained 94% for the Grade 7 practical examination.

Under the guidance of tutor Elmien Maree, he obtained 97% for Theory Grade 5 in October this year.

He is currently enrolled at Unisa for practical music (Grade 8) under the guidance of Greta Benade. Ludolph started piano lessons with Benade in 2012, at the age of seven. At the time he was a Grade 2 learner at Holy Cross Primary School. 

He is now a versatile Grade 9 learner at York High School, and is actively involved in culture and sports. He is a keen hockey and water polo player. 

In October this year, he was part of the first ever York public speaking team who took part in a 'Tip of the Tongue' public speaking competition in Pretoria. Currently he is attending a national youth leadership camp in Tulbagh. 

He is a member of his school's representative council of learners (RCL) and has been elected as a member of the George Junior City Council for 2020.