By Selloane Ntshonyane
- Thapelo Kemp from Musi High School gave up soccer and weekends to study, saying passing matric is his last chance to succeed.
- Lerato Makoa from Progress High School studies at night because her busy home makes it hard to focus, despite pressure to perform well.
Two matric learners from Soweto have opened up about the stress and sacrifice behind their final exams.
Eighteen-year-old Thapelo Kemp from Musi High School said this moment feels like his last chance to change his life.
“I had to let go of my social life and stop playing soccer so I can pass. My coach told me I can come back after the finals,” he said.
Kemp said his family’s hopes and the long study hours have been heavy. “We had early mornings on Saturdays and extra classes after school. One teacher even stayed with us overnight on weekends to help us study,” he said.
But home hasn’t been a good place to study. “There’s a lot of noise and my siblings are loud. Cross-nights at school helped me a lot,” he said.
Seventeen-year-old Lerato Makoa from Progress High School said she also feels the pressure to perform. “People expect too much from me because I’m one of the top students. I don’t want to disappoint them,” she said.
Makoa comes from a family of eight. “I can’t study during the day because the house is too busy. I wait for everyone to sleep so I can concentrate,” she said.
Even with the pressure, she’s proud of herself. “It’s been hard, but I’ve made it this far. I’m taking a gap year next year to rest,” she said.
Pictured above: Soweto learners prepare for their final exams.
Image source: Selloane Ntshonyane
