A mother, who went back to school after three decades, has passed her matric exams, with a Bachelor’s pass nogal.
Fifty-year-old Sadieka Abrahams says she was simply trying to encourage her daughter when she decided to do Grade 12.
The mom of three, who is unemployed, says she struggled to achieve her goal, and often walked from Bonteheuwel to Bridgetown High School, where she attended night classes twice a week.
“I had a goal to complete and as hard as it was, I walked the walk,” the mom says.
“When I eventually wrote exams in Manenberg at the Combined Centre, I stressed most of the exam period as I did not have money to even travel to the exam centre but I was determined and made my way there.”
Her subjects were English (62%), Afrikaans (72%), Math Literacy (56%), Geography (37%), History (60%) and Religion Studies (54%).
“People told me that doing all six subjects in one go was a mistake as the load is too heavy,” she says.
“I said that I would prove them wrong and I did.
“On Tuesday, I got my results and am happy to report that I have a Bachelors’ pass.”
Sadieka says she and her daughter both enrolled at Bridgetown High School to finish Grade 12.
“I dropped out of school in Grade 10 because I wanted to get married,” the mother explains.
“My 31-year-old daughter also dropped out of school and in 2019 I encouraged her to go back.
“I wanted my daughter to finish her matric so that she can get a better paying job and make a better life for herself.
“I said I would also join her at the night school.”
They were supposed to write their matric exams in July, but it was postponed to November due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“During our exams we were separated, she wrote in Bonteheuwel while I was in Manenberg.”
Sadieka says on the day the results were released, she was very nervous.
“I didn’t even want to get the results and then when I did, I saw that I passed with a Bachelor’s pass and I thought mission accomplished,” she says.
“My children are very proud of me. I am currently a volunteer at the police station where I check people’s temperature and their details for Covid. I can now find a paying job.”
Unfortunately, her daughter failed but has applied for a remark.
“I am saddened that my daughter did not make it but I will fully support her in rewriting, as a person is only a failure if they do not try again. It's not a disgrace and does not alter who you are.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za