Despite being admitted to hospital due to an abscess infection that had caused swelling on his neck during his final matric exams, Nhliziyo Sibiya, a learner of Sitintile Secondary School, still passed with six distinctions and received his National Senior Certificate.
The 17-year-old obtained distinctions in mathematics, physical science, accounting, life orientation, life science and English.
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He said he was admitted to hospital after writing his third examination, mathematics paper 2.
“This was a moment in which I had to decide between my future and my health. I started having strong headaches when I started my exams, and also had a bit of swelling on my neck, but after writing maths paper 2, I woke up to the swelling spreading to my right cheek and becoming bigger.
The headaches also became unbearable, so I was admitted to Mediclinic. I had to stay there and undergo treatment for the duration of the examinations.”
Nhliziyo had to travel from Mediclnic Nelspruit to school every morning in order to write his exams.
“My aunt played a really huge role in my situation.
She picked me up from hospital and drove me back once I had finished writing. This was a horrible time to be sick, but my family and the school have been very supportive.”
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Nhliziyo said he feels like this illness robbed him of an opportunity to perform even better.
“The fact that I had to miss out on extra classes because I had to rest in hospital had an impact on how I performed. My aim was to get all seven distinctions.
I had to adjust to a new study environment, which was a hospital ward, but through it all I persisted and defeated the disease and still made my family proud.
There were many sleepless nights studying, and I believe that without dedication and resilience, I wouldn’t have made it this year.”
He is now healed and heading to the University of Cape Town to study software engineering.
