Emotions run high as NMB matrics get exam results

THERE were heaps of mixed emotions today when thousands of matrics arrived at their respective schools in Nelson Mandela Bay to get their exam results.

Hundreds of successful matrics failed to contain their excitement as they cried, laughed and joked about their results in Port Elizabeth’s northern areas.

Zimkhitha Zibanda, from St Thomas High School, said: “This is the most incredible feeling I have ever felt. All the years of work have finally paid off. I got my university pass and will be studying at NMMU. I’m just so excited it’s unbelievable that I’m finally done with school!”

Collegiate High School got a 100% pass rate with two top achievers in the province. Claire Glover who collected her results with her parents said she plans to study drama and theatre in Cape Town.

Kirsty Mitchell, from Alexander High School, a self proclaimed rebel who was dragging behind at school, surpassed all expectations and received five distinctions.

“Something changed in me in Grade 10 and I really worked hard to get to where I am,” she said.

It was also a cocktail of emotions for matrics in some of Nelson Mandela Bay’s township schools.

Some of the pupils, who had already spotted their exam numbers in local newspapers, could not contain their excitement at passing.

But were left disappointed despite passing, saying they had put in a lot more effort into their studies.

For Monwabisi Magala from Motherwell his hard work paid off.

After he failed matric last year, Magala was determined to get a different result this time around. Today he became the first amongst his siblings to pass Grade 12.

“My two brothers tried but dropped out before Grade 12. My late father is the only one in my family to reach matric,” explained the 21-year-old.

“This is huge achievement and I am happy”, said Magala, who was a student at the James Jolobe Senior Secondary School.

Although he was aiming for a distinction, Magala said he was happy with a pass, which will enable him to study social work.

“I thank my teacher for making me believe that I can also do it. It was not easy due to peer pressure but I resolved to be focused”.

The Eastern Cape recorded a dismal 56.8% pass rate, with Port Elizabeth principals attributing this to several factors.

Nationally, 70.7% of the 799306 pupils who wrote the exams passed.

Schools that received less than 40% pass rate in Port Elizabeth are:

In Uitenhage:

Top performing schools in the Port Elizabeth District:

Uitehage District:

Northern Areas results: