Welcome to the most interesting year of your life. It’s the final chapter of the secondary academic year of your life.
This is your final semester of your high school graduation. Your community, your friends and especially your family are excited for you regarding this academic year.
Congratulations on arriving at this chapter.
“It is what we make of what we are given that makes us who we are.” – Nelson Mandela
You have been given the opportunity to strive and to achieve.
It is what you make of this opportunity that will determine who you are.
Do not find yourself in the prison of regret at the end of the year.
Use the present time to correct, improve and possess the best of your abilities.
There will be trials and tribulations during the course of the year, but the highlight will be how you overcome those challenges and not how you do not.
Remain inspired, maintain self-discipline at all times, but remember to have fun during the process and give yourself a break whenever you can because that is also important for your mental health.
I suppose no one can take away the fact that you are a teenager and there are a lot of social pressures you are under, from dating, being relevant and social media to just generally being noticed.
The sad truth is you are not going to be a teenager for the rest of your life. Soon adulthood will arrive and the first coolest thing about being an adult is to be educated.
Matric is the shortest term of your life. Give it your best. It is the only copy of your high school report that matters, so make it count for the rest of your life.
Remember – it is not that you are inadequate, but that you are powerful beyond measure.
Good luck!
Mnelisi Mawela
Ward 74 Committee
Youth Sector Representative
