Thirty adults of the Hopeful Leaders Night School in Manenberg were determined to experience a matric ball, despite their hardships and Covid-19 restrictions.
The matrics, who are aged 30 to 51 years old, attended the intimate farewell event at the Druiwevlei Community Hall on Friday night.
School founder Yumna Alexander told the Daily Voice that it’s been a challenge opening Manenberg’s first night school in a pandemic year.
“We started off in February with 168 registrations. The pandemic made it a challenge for all of us,” she says.
“We ended up with just over 70 pupils who made it to the final exam.”
Among the matric pupils was 51-year-old Colleen Charles as well as a Manenberg police officer who plans to apply for a higher post, but needed a matric certificate to qualify.
The pupils came dressed up in glitzy ball gowns and dazzling high heels and Yumna created the perfect ambiance.
“Most of these adults have never attended a matric ball but have children who they’ve organised one for,” she says.
“It was special for them to be able to swap places with their children for a night and enjoy all the things a matriculant gets to do, even though they are a little older.”
Manenberg’s Dr. Randall Ortel was the guest speaker, while Shakier Adams did MC duties.
The Grade 12s were handed certificates in what was a mini-valedictory ceremony at the ball.
When all speeches were done, the excited class of 2020 made their way to a photobooth before tucking into a scrumptious dinner consisting of macaroni and cheese, spicy rice, chicken, prawns, mutton curry and salads.
The night wouldn't have been complete without a celebratory jol.
And the ladies kicked their heels off and took to the dance floor to skud their lyfies.
The party kicked off at 5.30pm, leaving enough time for the belles of the ball to jol until 9pm, in order to adhere to the 10pm curfew implemented by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
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