Lesego Kekana, one of Forte High School's top matric learners and a future teacher and mentor from Dobsonville, described her final year of high school as an emotional journey, filled with both highs and lows.
The aspiring teacher hopes to pursue a degree in education with a focus on the Senior Phase at the University of the Witwatersrand, with the goal of mentoring learners in schools.
“I hope to study at the University of the Witwatersrand and complete my Senior Phase of education. My goal is to return to high schools across South Africa to guide fellow learners, showing them the value of education and how to overcome life’s obstacles, ultimately leading to a brighter future,” she said.
Lesego shared that her biggest highlight this year was making it to the top 10 list of best-performing students in her preliminary exams. 'My biggest highlight this year was when I managed to perform well and secure a place in the top 10 of my school with my preliminary results. It was then that I realised that nothing is impossible to achieve—success comes through my efforts and determination.'
She describes her experience with COVID-19 as particularly challenging, having entered high school at the height of the pandemic. During that time, she became complacent and neglected her studies.
“During COVID-19, things were really hard for me as a learner who just got into high school. By that time, to be honest, I was still young I did not see the power of education, so COVID-19 made things worse. Being kept at home without teaching made me stay in my comfort zone of not paying attention to my studies.
The future teacher advises the Class of 2025 to believe in themselves, stay dedicated and focused, and work smart. She emphasizes that, while the journey may not be easy, it is certainly not impossible to succeed.
The Star