Benoni matrics: Our hard work paid off

The Star newspaper's front page on Thursday morning.

The Star newspaper's front page on Thursday morning.

Published Jan 3, 2013

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Johannesburg - Most Benoni pupils who received their matric results on Thursday morning said they had worked hard throughout the year to ensure their success.

One boy, Tshwanelo Mabelane of Ephes Mamkeli Secondary School in Benoni, Wattville, was wearing his black school blazer as he came to pick up his results.

“I am happy with my results... I got two distinctions.” Mabelane said he wanted to study law.

Ntombifuthi Dube, said she and her friends gave up many weekends to study.

“We had study groups and we studied very hard.”

Dube wanted to study further next year and had already received a scholarship with Edu Campus.

There was hardly any activity in the morning at Etwatwa Secondary School.

A pupil who left the school beaming said she was excited about her achievements. She did not want to be named.

A few streets away two newspaper vendors had been busy since 5am.

“When I got here, many of the pupils were already waiting... They were so excited,” Thabisile Shongwe said.

Her colleague, Thulani Mtshali, said it was not good news for all matrics.

“Some were trying to find their names but they just couldn't. It was embarrassing for them.”

Shongwe and Mtshali it was mostly the pupils who came to buy the papers, although some parents arrived without their children.

Sakhile Mahlangu, the uncle of one matriculant, said: “Obviously, those who don't want to go buy the papers themselves are afraid they may not find their names there, so they would rather face disappointment at home.”

He said his nephew “aced” his exams.

In comparison to past years, when matrics paraded the streets of the township, shouting and celebrating, some blasting music from their homes, this year only a handful of students were kneeling in the streets, paging through newspapers looking for their results.

“It's just not the same this year... I can't explain the mood, “ a teacher from a local school said. - Sapa

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