Matric triplets: birds of a feather score together

Hoërskool Waterkloof’s bubbly Pretoria triplets are over the moon after they got 12 distinctions collectively in their 2017 matric examinations.

The sisters, Rosemarie, Simoné, and Abigail Oellermann, also known as “RSA”, each got four distinctions, but Simoné is going to ask for a re-mark of her biology paper. “I got 79% and I think I can get another A,” she said.

“Our brother Christof got seven distinctions when he was in matric and while we did not beat him individually, together we scored more,” Rosemarie said, laughing.

When they got to high school, they thought they were going to be known as the triplets, but instead they were called “Christof se sussies” (Chrisof’s sisters) because of the impression he had made.

They said while primary school was a breeze, high school was not always easy and they had to put in the work. The triplets are still basking in the glory, but they are also already talking about where they will go to study.

Simoné is going to study nursing at Potchefstroom University and hopes to one day join Doctors Without Borders. Rosemarie is going to do a BA Language and Psychology at the University of Pretoria because she loves how the brain works and analysing people.

“I am a people’s person. All three of us love people and are easy to get along with,” she said.

Abigail said she had only one plan and that’s to do a BSC in Environmental and Engineering Geology.

“But I missed my provisional requirements by one mark so I hope I can still get in. I have to wait until January 10 to hear if they going to put me through for the extended programme. This will allow me to get involved in the development of Africa,” she said.

The girls have no idea how their parents are going to put them through university because they fall in the missing middle.

“We tried applying for bursaries, but it’s a nightmare. We also do not qualify for the National Students Financial Aid Scheme. At the moment my parents can literally just pay for one child at university. “I think we need to start a foundation for twins and triplets because people don’t understand how difficult it is for parents to keep all three kids in school and university,” Rosemarie said.

They have their own support system and are always there for each other, Simoné said.

“We cannot unfriend each other because we are family and we have always been together,” she said. Abigail said, laughing: “But one thing needs to be said, Rosemarie is responsible for us being born early because she kicked her water bag open and we all had to follow.”

She added that her sisters were conceived first and a week later she was conceived.

“So it’s actually twins and I am the third wheel. They’re glad to be done with school and the same old routine, they said.

“For now we are going out to get an ice cream or something as a reward to celebrate and spend as much time together before Simoné leaves for Potchefstroom,” Rosemarie said.

 – virginiak@citizen.co.za

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