WE DID IT AND SO CAN YOU: A MESSAGE FROM THE CLASS OF 2023

By Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane

• *Caden Pillay (not his real name), a 19-year-old who missed his final exams due to a severe car accident, shares his journey of resilience as he prepares to sit supplementary papers.
• Hospitalised for a month and facing significant physical challenges, Caden reflects on the immense pressure of balancing recovery and academic responsibilities.
• Alongside his supportive friend, *Sinosipho Jobe (not his real name), they emphasise the importance of dedication and finding a support network, encouraging fellow matriculants to persevere despite overwhelming obstacles.

“Last year, when my final exams started, I was supposed to be in that exam hall, tackling the papers I had spent months preparing for, but I was in hospital on a drip instead.” This is the story of 19-year-old *Caden Pillay (not his real name), who wishes all matriculants the best and encourages them to remain committed.

“Following a horrific car accident, I was dealing with the aftermath, and I couldn’t even sit for my exams. This meant that I had to write supplementary papers in May this year (2024). It wasn’t just about being behind by a few months; it felt like my life was put on hold. I had to carry all that stress, anxiety, and frustration into this new year,” he says with a smile on his face. His smile is not only due to joy but also because he needs to exercise his jaw.

His jaw is held together by metal plates, and he has additional plates supporting his left arm and hip. He was in hospital for a month.

“The pressure of exams is already something else. The constant cycle of studying, worrying if you’re prepared enough, and feeling your heart race before the paper even starts is exhausting. Add to that the weight of the accident, the recovery, and just trying to keep it all together… It took a toll on me. It felt like all my peers were moving on while I was stuck in that space between healing and getting my life back on track. When May came, and it was time to finally face those exams, the pressure I felt doubled. I wasn’t just battling the exam questions; I was battling everything else I had carried with me since that accident,” says the 19-year-old, who will study Music Production and Sound Technology at a college in the Western Cape in 2025.

*Sinosipho Jobe (not his real name) believes that if Caden could pass his matric under such circumstances, then every matriculant has the potential to succeed and begin their new journey. “It is stressful. I went from being in a wheelchair to using crutches, but my best friend, despite having finished his matric with exceptional results, was by my side, providing me with preparation notes. You need to be dedicated and find support or study groups. It really helps so you do not feel alone. There are too many stories of depressed matriculants; having someone to talk to helps,” he expresses.

His best friend, Sinosipho, shares similar sentiments, saying that despite the challenges, it is possible to succeed. “Writing matric was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve ever had. There were so many sleepless nights where I stayed up trying to cram in as much as I could, but my mind felt like it was constantly running on empty. The pressure weighed heavily on me, and at times, it felt like I was just one step away from breaking down. I was juggling so much, and it felt like everything was crumbling around me,” says the 19-year-old, who will study Film Production and Graphic Design at a university in the Western Cape in 2025.

He took a gap year and highlights the importance of such an opportunity, as it also allowed him to support Caden.

“There were moments when I seriously thought I wouldn’t make it. I would sit with my books open, but my mind would drift. Sometimes, I questioned if all the sacrifices, exhaustion, and stress were even worth it. The mental strain was real, and every small setback felt like the end of the world. But somehow, I kept going. I didn’t know how, but I did. When the results finally came, I braced myself for the worst! To my surprise, I had passed—and passed well! I couldn’t believe it. All the sleepless nights and struggles had paid off. It was a moment of disbelief, pride, and relief, reminding me that I’m stronger than I thought,” he says.

In conclusion, the two young men assert that there is nothing you cannot do when you put your mind to it, but you should not place overwhelming pressure on yourself. In unison, they quote a song by Drake, a well-known Canadian rapper who resonates with the youth: “I was born to make mistakes, not to fake perfection.”