Plett student’s sacrifice pays off

Plettenberg Bay teen Anelisiwe Langa had to leave home to stay at school, but it has paid off – she not only passed matric but received distinctions in every subject.

On Tuesday she could not believe her eyes when she was handed her results at the Percy Mdala High School, a school which caters for some of Knysna’s poorest communities.

“I had seven subjects and managed to get more than 80 percent for each of them,” said the 18-year-old after receiving her results.

“Next stop: the University of the Western Cape. I really want to study law – I’ve developed a passion for the competitiveness of the career.”

It is also this competitive spirit which contributed to her matric examination success and pulled her through difficult times.

Anelisiwe had to travel from Plettenberg Bay to Knysna every day to attend school. “On advice from teachers, I decided I wanted to complete my high school career at Percy Mdala High School in Knysna rather than schools in my area. My parents supported my decision and paid my travel expenses there and back.”

Her father – the family’s only breadwinner – however lost his job about two years ago. “So he couldn’t afford the travel costs anymore so I was forced to look at a different school closer to home.”

Her Grade 10 class teacher, Nonkanyiso Mgayi, however recognised her potential and came to the rescue. “My teacher lives in Knysna and took me in. She let me live with her while I finished Grade 11 and matric.”

“Although I was very thankful, it was not an easy two years. I felt alone as it was the first time away from my parents and their support. I was depressed all the time; I broke down in class a few times and never felt I was good enough. I also placed a lot of pressure on myself not to let anyone down.”

Anelisiwe also contributed to the success of the school which saw a huge improvement from a 68 percent pass rate in 2013 to 75.5 percent last year. This followed a rocky four years for the school which started with a pass rate of 45 percent in 2010. •

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