Stay away from bad company, focus on your school work and heed your teachers’ advice if you want to succeed in life.
This was the advice from East Bank High School’s outgoing matric, 20-year-old Thapelo Sikgete who regretted the time he lost when he bunked classes. He had to repeat Grade 9 and 11 which he said was due to mixing with the wrong friends. “We came to school daily but bunked classes and engaged in cat and mouse chases with teachers who we evaded and hid in toilets where we played card games with pocket money from home while others were in class,” Sikgete said.
His change of tune in the latter part of Grade 11 enabled him to pass his exams. Regretting the conduct which almost ruined his life, Sikgete urged current matrics to avoid truancy and be serious with shaping their future through education.
School, he said, was the only background for children’s success in life if they committed to their studies. “Most of my ‘bad company’ friends dropped out and luckily I persevered after advice from a history teacher who saw potential in me and didn’t relent in telling me accordingly.
“I dedicate my bachelor’s qualification to him and the school which didn’t give up on me.”
He hopes his distinction in history will enable his entry to law studies at the University of Johannesburg.
Also, Sikgete credited his achievement to a school excursion to the Joburg Central Prison while in Grade 11. “The lifestyle I saw there made me commit, be serious about my education and distance myself from negative influence.”
He advised the current matric class and their successors to commit to classwork, after school, on weekends and night study sessions. “Knowledge and academic excellence will be derived from your commitment to learning every day… manage your time well between class and leisure and reduce partying during the school term.”
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