Persistence Pays Off: 26-Year-Old Pupil Finally Passes Matric After Three Attempts

THIRD time’s a charm for matric pupil.

Ntombenhle Mashaba has shown that hard work and resolve can triumph over obstacles.

The 26-year-old Ntombenhle from KZN has finally succeeded in her goal to pass matric with one distinction after failing twice.

But her journey wasn’t easy. She first sat for the matric exams in 2018 but failed. She went back to school in 2020, starting from grade 11 and progressed to grade 12 in 2021. However, she faced another setback and failed again.

Ntombenhle said she refused to give up. She attempted grade 12 once more and finally achieved her goal.

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“It was not easy passing matric at the age of 26 after repeating it three times. I just told myself that giving up is not an option. This is my life. I had to take a stand for my own sake, despite the negative comments.

“I had to avoid that because I knew it would discourage me from achieving my goal. I advise the 2025 matric pupils to never give up and remember that it’s all on you and nobody else,” she said.

Another 26-year-old who recently passed matric is Mdeni Senior Secondary School pupil, Amanda Magadlela from Dutywa Esikhobeni, Eastern Cape.

She said: “To be honest, going back to grade 12 at the age of 26 was tough. The journey was hard, but I finally made myself proud. I thank God and also thank those who spoke badly about me. Their words didn’t hurt me but made me more determined.”