A prayer ceremony was held at the Estcourt Town Hall on Friday October 25.

The prayer service was to encourage and motivate the matriculants who were about to start their examination.

Speeches were shared to inspire and to give them courage.

The grade 12s were advised not to delve into things that will be detrimental to their future.

They were told that this journey is one of difficult decision-making.

The KZN Education MEC Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni was the guest speaker.

She also gave her word of support and courage to the matriculants who came in large numbers.

“You are not alone in the system of education. Don’t take this opportunity for granted because some of you might be the first to obtain a Matric certificate in your family,” she stated.

She also pleaded that youngsters should not engage themselves in drugs and become victims to teenage pregnancy.