By Lebone Rodah Mosima, Charmaine Ndlela and Thapelo Mpatlanyane
Ahead of the start of the final matric exams, Grade 12 learners across South Africa were putting in long hours to make this final stretch count.
Mhlonishwa Hlatshwayo, from Kwa-Mahlobo Secondary School in Soweto, Johannesburg. PHOTO: Supplied
Mhlonishwa Hlatshwayo, 18, from Kwa-Mahlobo Secondary School in Soweto, Johannesburg, said he is giving his all to ensure a strong finish to his matric year.
“I follow a study timetable that helps me balance all my subjects,” he said.
“I use past exam papers to test myself, attend extra classes at school, and also use online resources and summaries.”
Mhlonishwa is writing English, isiZulu, Mathematics, Life Orientation, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Geography.
He said Mathematics and Geography are his favourites “because they help me understand how things work and how people interact with their environment.”
Like many learners, he faced challenges along the way.
“Load shedding is one of my biggest challenges where I stay,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate when there are power cuts at home. I also get anxious before big exams, so I’m learning how to manage stress better.”
Looking ahead, Mhlonishwa hopes to study Chemical Engineering or Architectural Studies.
“I’m passionate about creating spaces that inspire people and shaping cities for the future,” he said.
He added that his school has been very supportive.
“My school is giving us extra classes, past exam papers, and motivational talks, which really inspires me because they care about our success,” he said.
“Schools should provide time management and exam technique sessions to help us handle stress and improve performance. Organizing mock exams under real exam conditions would also boost our confidence.”
Asimbonge Bhengu, from Winners Academy in Blairgowrie, Randburg. PHOTO: Supplied
Asimbonge Bhengu, 17, from Winners Academy in Blairgowrie, Randburg, shared his study strategies as he prepares for his final matric exams in November.
“One of my strategies is to make a study plan and tackle my challenging subjects by practicing them every day,” he said.
His biggest challenge has been not having an Economics teacher for part of the year.
“Our school had to get a tutor to help us catch up,” he said.
After matric, Bhengu plans to take a gap year to do casual work and help his parents with tuition fees before enrolling at Richfield, where he hopes to study Supply Chain Management.
“I went to Richfield on one of their open days, and I saw that they offer courses related to supply chain management — something I’ve always wanted to study,” he said.
He admitted to being nervous about the upcoming exams.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, I’m at about a 6,” he said.
“My grades have dropped a little, so I need to push harder.”
Bhengu hoped that after completing his studies, he would be able to secure an internship in supply chain management to gain practical experience.
Bonolo Sibotho from Tlokweng Senior Secondary School in Makalakaleng, Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape. PHOTO: Supplied
On the other hand, seventeen-year-old Bonolo Sibotho from Tlokweng Senior Secondary School in Makalakaleng, Sterkspruit, said he was preparing for her exams by sticking to a study timetable and working through past papers.
“I’ve been reviewing my notes to understand concepts better and to focus on my weak points,” he said.
His biggest challenge is academic pressure.
“There’s a lot of work to cover in a short time, and it can get overwhelming,” he admitted.
“But I manage the pressure by taking short breaks.”
After matric, Bonolo plans to pursue a degree in Nursing.
“I chose nursing because I love the healthcare field, I enjoy working with people, and it’s a profession that’s always in demand,” he said.
Hlamalani Sono from Hoërskool Ben Vorster in Tzaneen, Limpopo. PHOTO: Supplied
Eighteen-year-old Hlamalani Sono from Hoërskool Ben Vorster in Tzaneen said she managed her preparation by attending extra classes and writing her own notes.
“For subjects like Geography and Physical Sciences, I write down key terms while listening to music — it helps me remember better,” she said.
She admitted that her environment can be noisy, making it hard to concentrate, but she stays focused on her goals.
After matric, she plans to either study a Geography-related field or pursue pilot training at a flight academy.
“I want to improve my knowledge and experience and explore careers that connect with my interests,” she said.
Piletji Michael Thai from Hoërskool Akasia in Pretoria. PHOTO: Supplied
Eighteen-year-old Piletji Michael Thai from Hoërskool Akasia in Pretoria said he had a detailed and disciplined study plan.
“I follow a structured schedule from Monday to Sunday to stay consistent and focused,” he said.
“Every morning, I start my day with daily devotion and quiet prayer before beginning my study sessions.”
Thai rotates between his main subjects — Mathematics and Physical Sciences — spending about six hours each day focusing on one of them.
As an Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) student, he also practices drawing for two hours daily to sharpen his technical and design skills.
For his remaining subjects, such as English, Afrikaans, and Business Studies, he dedicates three hours a day.
“This balance helps me make steady progress across all my subjects,” he said.
He takes regular breaks, goes for walks to refresh his mind, and ends his study sessions by 10 p.m.
On Sundays, he focuses on church and family time.
He admits to facing financial difficulties.
“Being raised by a single mother, things can get tough, but I try to make the best of what I have,” he said.
Thai also struggles with procrastination when he feels overwhelmed, but he’s working on improving his discipline.
After matric, he plans to study Aeronautical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.
“Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by how planes and spacecraft work,” he said.
“Aeronautical engineering isn’t just a career for me — it’s a way to turn imagination into innovation.”
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