Beat the odds to pass matric
Zandile Bokwana
THORNE Saterdag, 19, one of four youngsters from the Eastern Province Child & Youth Care Centre, based in Newton Park, has every reason to be proud.
The Kwanobuhle youngster, who spent almost all of his childhood years in children's homes, said that he was ecstatic to pass Grade 12 last year.
" I'm looking forward to new challenges, but it is scary knowing that I am going to be on my own now, after being at the centre for 12 years," said the former Andrew Rabie pupil.
"Fortunately I had support from everyone at the centre, including my parent figure Lesley Brewis, who played a big role in me passing."
"I knew Thorne from when he was six. He is a wonderful, intelligent young man and I had no doubt that he would pass. I encouraged him to work hard and get his matric because it is important to have it these days," said Brewis.
The youngest of six children first got into a children's home when he was two after his mother died and his father could not work after being disabled in a car accident.
Saterdag spent two years in Nerina children's home in Schauderville, Korsten before being transferred to the EP Child & Youth Care Centre.
Terry Hattingh, who is the director at the centre, said that they had not have any child fail matric since 2004.
" No child has failed in the past nine years. We make sure they pass by providing them with everything needed and we have volunteers tutoring them. We are happy for all of them."
Saterdag has now aged out of the system and has left the children's home and is now with his family, studying to be a fitter and turner at Midlands College.
His message to the class of 2013 is: study hard and make sure you regret nothing.