For Rethabile Mahlabe from Forte Secondary School in Soweto, matric was not just a school year but a test of resilience, discipline and determination.
Rethabile comes from Braamfischer, where noise, crime and daily chaos are the norm, but found ways to stay focused amid distractions that could easily derail a pupil and attained four distinctions, in tourism, history, maths literacy and life orientation.
Coming from a place filled with noise, violence and gangsterism, it was a challenge just to focus. Almost every night I could hear gunshots while studying. At first it scared me, but I had to get used to it and keep pushing, he said.
