It’s Not the End: Finding Hope Beyond Matric Results

I’m here today to motivate someone. I always love it when they say, “Even if it’s just one person.”

I recently started this blog, and trust me, I had every excuse not to post this now—“Who’s even going to read it?” But something is pushing me, and that’s how I know there’s someone out there who needs to hear this.

Let me take you back to 2012 when I passed my matric with a higher certificate. At the school I went to? That was unheard of. Most kids there performed so well that being associated with low marks wasn’t ideal.

The night I got my matric results, I got them early—at midnight—from a guy I once dated. My heart sank. Honestly, I had worked so hard. I pulled up my socks, studied like crazy, and wrote my heart out. I was expecting at least a diploma.

That night, I played “Mercy Said No” on repeat. By the time morning came and it was time to fetch my certificate at school, I felt a little more ready.

When I got to school, there was this girl—still in matric—who saw me and shouted, “Ni brave girl! Nada?!” (meaning, “You’re brave, girl! You came?”). I just smiled and said, “Yes.”

I went to the office, collected my certificate, and left. Later, I found out that someone had taken a picture of me and my friend, labeling us “Team H”—mocking us for our results.

Did that move me? Nope. My only stress was the meeting I was about to have with my dad. Everyone else didn’t matter.

When we sat down, my dad, mom, and sister all ganged up on me, suggesting I repeat Grade 12. My answer? A strong, adamant NO.
I told them, “I don’t like sciences. That’s not what I want to do. Why should I repeat something I don’t like and won’t use in the future?” They tried convincing me, but I stood my ground.

Eventually, my dad gave me an opportunity to go to Gauteng and look for a school. He called my brother, Mishumo (oh Lord, bless his heart!), who helped me find a college. I registered for a course that was supposed to be a bridging program, promising I could pursue anything after that year.

Mid-year, my friends and I discovered that the course wouldn’t do what it promised—no school would accept it for upgrades. My dreams felt crushed. I was stressed, and worse, I now had to tell my dad.

That year unofficially became my gap year because I only attended for six months. But did I tell anyone at home? Nope. 🤫 (My secrets are coming out now! 🤭)

Thankfully, my then-boyfriend made a plan so I didn’t have to return home. Around that time, I met a wonderful lady named Faith. She was studying at Unisa and living in the same building as me.

One morning, we walked together to run errands, and I opened up to her about my situation. She immediately said, “No, mahn. Unisa has a higher certificate. Let’s go there!”

We went that same day. I paid for everything myself and didn’t bother anyone at home. Just like that, I had a school! 😭🙌🏾

Telling my dad was tricky, but when I did, he gave me another chance. This time, I was determined. I studied like my life depended on it—because it did.

I completed the higher certificate and went to register for my diploma. The lines were crazy long, and on the last day, I almost gave up. But when I finally made it to the front, a lovely lady asked me, “Why not register for a degree?”

I didn’t even know how to respond. She continued, “You passed so well. Your results qualify you for a BCom!”

I cried my lungs out when I got back to my room. Today, I’m proud to say I have a BCom in Marketing Management, starting from a higher certificate—and so much more on top of that!

This blog is for any student feeling down because of their matric results. Don’t be hard on yourself. It’s not the end of the world.

Find solutions, and one day, you’ll be telling your story just like me. It gets better with time.

I always say, “The first day of a problem is the hardest. Waking up the next day and still facing it is tough. But nothing changes if you don’t move.”

There’s hope for the movers! Get up, dust yourself off, and move!