Matric final examinations were in full swing yesterday as thousands of pupils sat for their English examinations.
There are 81986 full-time matric pupils writing examinations, with 21787 registered as part-time candidates.
Boxer Azinga Fuzile, 21, who recently contested for the Feather Super Four Series tournament at the weekend, wrote his first paper yesterday but did not want to comment.
John Bisseker Secondary head boy Justin Sikolo, 18, said: “I started preparing at the beginning of the year. The paper today was fairly easy compared to the one I wrote during the trial exams.
“This year was challenging. There were a lot of ups and downs but I know the sacrifices were worth it,” he said.
Sikolo felt confident he would pass with flying colours as he knew from day one that he had to give his studies his full attention.
Selborne College pupil Nkosinathi Phandle said the year had started out “a breeze” but the pressure built up. As exams approached he began to feel that “time was not on our side”.
“Besides all the challenges that I encountered I still want to go and study engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.
Sinovuyo Pawuli, 19, also from John Bisseker, chirped: “I always tell my classmates that I will become the president of the country. President Jacob Zuma is waiting for me to be his successor.”
“Academically I think I’m doing great because I have never repeated any grade.”
Pawuli added that if she were to become the president, she would provide basic necessities to those living in informal settlements such as Ziphunzana who needed them most. Kusile Comprehensive High pupil Luxolo Phakamile, who has won a top-achiever award in agriculture, said he had to prioritise this year in order to focus on his grades.
He is planning to study agriculture at a tertiary institution.
Anele Motolwana, 19, from John Bisseker, said: “The paper was quite nice but there were some tricky questions. I managed to answer everything.”
“I want to pursue a career in law, because I want to defend those who are falsely accused of wrongdoing,” she said.