To the thousands of matriculants across the country, preparing to write their final examinations, on behalf of Higher Education South Africa (HESA), I wish each of you well.
As you prepare for exams, remember your future depends on you achieving the best results possible.
Good results mean you will have more options open to you. You will have a greater chance of studying at the tertiary institution of your choice and ultimately achieving your dreams.
You also increase your chances of obtaining a bursary, scholarship, or other forms of financial assistance.
Success means being well-prepared for the final exams. As such, you must be able to apply everything you have learned throughout this year, as well as preceding ones.
Take time to go through your work thoroughly.
Ask a teacher or mentor for advice if there is something you do not understand. Consult one of the numerous learning aids available to you for clarification.
Try to work through past exam papers to give yourself an edge.
The key to a society that is able to overcome its social, political and economic challenges is a well-educated population.
A skilled labour force is a crucial ingredient for economic-growth.
With the official unemployment rate at 25.6 per cent (Statistics South Africa) in the second quarter of 2013, it is more important than ever that you give yourself a fighting chance as you prepare to enter higher education institutions, FET Colleges, or the world of work.
You are the future of this country and ensuring you are well-educated can mean the difference between making a difference or sitting powerlessly on the sideline.
Each of you holds the key to your own destiny. I urge you not to treat the examinations as an inconvenience, but to rather invest your energy and best intentions in them.
This will stand you in good stead in the long-term, as you take the next steps on your journey through life.
Good luck, and all the best.
