Despite disruptions to their classes and violence at a nearby school, pupils from Minerva Secondary School are glad they managed to pass their 2021 matric exams.
Pupils at Minerva, a school based in Alexandra, northern Johannesburg, had to study under a climate of fear after the deaths of two pupils at nearby Pholosho Junior Secondary School at the hands of fellow learners.
A 14-year-old girl from Pholosho allegedly stabbed her 16-year-old boyfriend from Alexandra High School in September last year. This happened shortly after Qayiya Mgaye, 15, was stabbed to death by a fellow learner at the school.
Pholosho is situated next to Minerva.
Minerva’s matriculants said they were deeply saddened by the stabbings at Pholosho.
Nosipho Nyathi, 19, said: “I am happy that I passed my matric. It was not easy. We needed to focus after the trauma we experienced. It was not nice seeing our young brothers killing each other. We expected them to follow in our footsteps.
“When you see a young child being killed like that, you can only sympathise with the family...”
She said she was looking forward to upgrading her mathematics results so she can study for a BCom in accounting sciences.
“I am excited that I will be starting a new adventure. I don’t want to lie, I am happy that I won’t be in this schooling environment anymore,” said Nyathi.
Kamogelo Makololo, 19, recalled a time when the pupils had to go home after members of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) disrupted their classes.
“We were at the library studying and they [Cosas members] barged into the school yard and we were disturbed. It was heart-breaking because we went home and lost a day of school,” said Makololo.
Makololo expressed her excitement at having passed matric. “This feeling is so precious. I am glad to know that I am part of those who did matric. I am relieved that I will no longer be here to witness the trauma we went through.”
Makololo wants to study nursing at the University of Johannesburg.
Sphiwe Mkhwanazi, 21, said: “It was painful seeing our younger brothers and sisters playing with their lives. I was afraid that their violence would spill over to our school. I am happy that I completed matric and I will be moving on.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.