Letter from Limpopo: Watching the joyous send-off of the class of 2022, Thabiso Sekhula reflects that even the lowest days are just paving stones for greatness
It’s been a truly happy week here in the north. We’ve been sending off our amazing matrics, who have done us proud with their 2022 school year results.
Although Limpopo trails behind most of the provinces in the national results, it was the second-most improved province compared to last year.
In the news, these figures are just numbers, but having attended the celebrations across the province where these students were honoured and having seen the faces behind the numbers and the tears of joy of the families behind the learners, I know that every single one of the matrics who wrote and passed has a human story we can all relate to, and that’s been a highlight.
Hearing my neighbours at midnight celebrating their daughter, who got 7 distinctions, or knowing that a student from my old high school, Godiso Maduwa, obtained the third-highest marks in the entire country, makes it very real, and it’s hard not to catch the infectious excitement in the air.
Even more exciting was that two of our very own Limpopo top achievers were received by the vice-chancellor of UCT, Mamokgethi Phakeng, this week when they landed in Cape Town.
The learners received the UCT’s Blue Carpet scholarship offer, which includes accommodation and VIP treatment for their years of study. They were treated like royalty on their arrival in the Mother City and the clips of the arrival, which have since gone viral, will be played at churches and high schools forever.
Having passed matric 15 years ago, I can tell you what these kids have achieved is no mean feat. It’s really, really hard, and knowing their stories and families personally, I can tell you that just 15 years ago, some parents of these kids were just a bit older than I am.
They had their kids a bit earlier than others, and the village was not kind about it, but oh, how even stories that start off in struggle can shine so brightly when even the world’s top institutions come calling for you in the village.
Just goes to show you that our destinies are not controlled by mistakes we make in childhood. Even our lowest days are just paving stones for greatness.
The sacrifices their parents have made are admirable, and were manifest in the tears and smiles I’ve witnessed this week.
And so as they go off to chase their destiny, we can’t guess what it will be. What a marvel it is to witness brilliance that could not be held back by the disadvantages of where we are born.
We will be right there at every step to celebrate as these top achievers come into their full glory, raising the flag high.
Pictured above: Greater Letaba top achieving learners were awarded with laptops and bursaries.
Image source: Sekgosese insider
