Matric learners urged to remember their worth goes beyond exam results
Child rights activist Thandolwenkosi Nkosi’s shared advice for the Class of 2026 encouraging learners to stay motivated, believe in their potential and remember that there are many pathways to success.
The Class of 2026 commenced their final examinations on October 13, marking the beginning of a nerve-wracking journey filled with sleepless nights and a step closer to their future.
Exam season can be stressful and uncertain. The African Reporter spoke to Thandolwenkosi Nkosi, a child rights activist from Kwa-Thema, who shared valuable advice for this year’s matric learners.
She said learners should take their studies one step at a time, avoid comparing themselves to others, and seek support when the pressure to succeed feels overwhelming.
“Your results are not your worth. Exams matter, but they measure one thing on one day. They do not measure your character, your creativity, or what you will go on to build. There are many routes forward, and you only need to find one that fits you,” she said.
She advised learners to break their study schedules into manageable tasks instead of becoming overwhelmed by everything they need to cover.
“Make the mountain small. When everything feels urgent, nothing gets done. Choose today’s one task, finish it and let that carry you into the next.
“Rest is part of studying, so sleep, eat, move, and take breaks. A rested mind remembers what a panicked one forgets,” she said.
Nkosi also encouraged learners to avoid comparing themselves to their peers, stressing that asking for help should never be seen as a weakness.
She said learners could turn to teachers, parents, friends, or counsellors when they struggle with exam pressure.
“In my work as a child rights advocate and youth empowerment advocate, I’ve learned that young people rarely lack potential. What they often lack is someone reminding them it’s there. In the final stretch of matric, that reminder matters more than ever,” Nkosi said.
She encouraged learners to stay motivated by focusing on small achievements such as completing a past examination paper, studying a topic or finishing a productive study session.
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She added that remembering their purpose and the people they hope to become could help them stay focused beyond the pressure to get good marks.
“When I think about the young people I’ve worked with through the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the ones who kept going were those who held onto a purpose bigger than a single exam,” she said.
She believes matric results should be seen as an opportunity to explore different pathways, not a final judgement on a young person’s future.
“Your results are a doorway, not a destination. Matric results open doors but they don’t decide who walks through them or what happens after.
“Many pathways exist: universities, TVET colleges, bridging programmes, higher certificates, rewrites, skills training, and entrepreneurship. Detours are not failures,” she said.
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She added that young people deserved to be valued for more than their academic achievements.
“You are not your marks. Your worth is in your character, your voice, your kindness and your resilience. No certificate can measure those, and no result can take them away,” she said.
She also shared advice for learners who may not achieve the results they hoped for or who are uncertain about their next steps after matric.
Reflecting on her journey from matric learner to youth advocate, she said receiving examination results should not be seen as the moment that determines a person’s entire future.
“Moving from matric learner to youth advocate taught me that the moment results arrive is not the moment your story is decided. It is one chapter and for many of us it is not the chapter that matters most,” she said.
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She also encouraged learners to give themselves time to process their feelings before exploring their options.
“Your results are information, not a verdict. They say nothing about your intelligence, your character or your ability to grow,” she said.
She encouraged learners to speak to their teachers or educational advisers about alternative opportunities including rewriting subjects, enrolling at TVET colleges, pursuing bridging programmes, applying for learnerships and internships or developing practical skills.
“Not knowing what comes next does not mean you are behind. Many young people I’ve worked with found their direction by trying things, volunteering, interning and learning along the way, not by having it all figured out at 18,” she said.
She concluded by reminding matric learners that their future remained open, regardless of the results they
received.
“To every learner waiting on results or wondering what comes next: your story is still being written and you hold the pen,” she said.
