Grade 12 pupils across South Africa are gearing up for the final examinations in November this year. Eldorado Park Secondary School pupils were no exception as they held their valediction ceremony at the Eldocrest Primary School Hall on October 20.
Beaming parents and teachers bade them farewell and expressed their encouragement as pupils ready themselves for the transition to adulthood following the outcome of the final examinations.
Grade 12 learners from the school filled the hall, donning graduation gowns as parents and relatives snapped away on their cameras and cheered as the pupils neared this milestone in their lives.
Guest speaker, Noncebo Mzamo from KPMG took to the lectern and urged pupils not to limit themselves and to push beyond the limits.
Mzamo said, “You set the ceiling, no-one else does.
She encouraged pupils to explore alternative career paths and echoed principal Marlon Louw’s sentiments that pupils should start living purpose-driven lives.
Mzamo added, “Building your personal brand and working on areas which need development will be the challenge.”
“Imagine a toolbox containing all the teachings learned from your community, parents, teachers and churches. Take this imaginary toolbox wherever you go. This will start your personal branding.”
“It is very important to bear in mind that preparation meets opportunity during these exams.”
She advised the pupils that they would be entering the job market soon and stressed that it would be critical for pupils to begin shadowing people in the workplace to come to terms with the behaviors acceptable within the corporate environment.
Louw, the principal at the school, thanked the pupils for their commitment to completing their schooling and reminded everyone present that not all who entered formal education completed this level.
The video below shows Marlon Louw delivering an encouraging speech to pupils.
Naftalia Jaftha, a former pupil at Eldorado Park Secondary, took to the podium next and gave an anecdotal speech about her experiences since completing Grade 12 to applause from all present.
The video below shows Jaftha delivering her anecdotal speech.
