MATHEMATICS was a tough challenge for pupils on Friday, 3 November.
This was according to some Steve Tshwete Secondary School pupils in Tshwane. Ernest Mamabolo (18) said despite the exam being tough, he has passed.
“I practised and gave it my all. I was ready, but it wasn’t easy. I believe I made it. I prepared for so long and struggled to sleep thinking about the exam. I had sleepless nights because it meant a lot to me. I just hope it all went well,” he said.
He said he hasn’t decided what he wants to study next year, but applied for electrical engineering.
Lethabo Majoro said she struggled with a number of questions and couldn’t finish the paper.
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“It was too much for me. I spent so much time on some questions than I should have and it backfired because I ended up not finishing,” she said.
Some pupils wrote mathematical literacy paper one and they also found it challenging.
Nhlanhla Mahlangu (18), who wants to be a lawyer, said: “I wrote well even though it was challenging. Some questions were so tough you would even think of leaving blank spaces,” she said.
She said she applied to study at Tshwane University of Technology.
Nhlanhla Masemola (18) also believes she passed. “I passed but it was challenging though I prepared hard,” she said.
She wants to study education and become a teacher. “I love children, I want to work with them,” she said.
Simamkele Maja (19) also believes he wrote well as he was ready for the challenge. “I can’t say much except that I worked hard on my preparations. We studied as groups so I did well,” said Simamkele.
But pupils from Khayalethu Secondary School in Phatsima outside Rustenburg, North West had mixed emotions.
Katlego Molebatsi (18) found the exam a bit challenging. She said some of the questions were frustrating.
Gucci Mokola (18) said: “We had three hours, but I still couldn’t finish. I thought I was well prepared, but the questions were very tricky. I was trying not to be discouraged because we still have to prepare for other papers. I am relieved the paper is finally out of the way.”
Sibongile Mahlasela (21) said she was positive that she has passed. She said she got most of the questions right. “I made sure I was well prepared. I used previous question papers to study.”
Batsile Mashilo (21) said he has been studying very hard. "Overall, I am happy with the exams. I want to study chemical engineering at Wits University,” he said.
Onkarabile Kgomo (22) said he was happy with how the questions were set. “I enjoyed writing. Everything came out as I had hoped.”
Fortunate Setlhare (20) said there were a few challenges, but he managed to overcome them and finish on time. He said he will score 75/150.
Pupils from Protea Glen Secondary School in Soweto said they wrote well and are expecting great results.
They said:
Evidence Ndlovu (18) said the exam was very easy even though she found some questions challenging.
“There is a question that I found to be very challenging, I couldn’t answer that question, but I am confident that I did well. I was very prepared for the maths paper, but not the calculus part of it. I am ready for paper two, I hope it behaves,” she said.
Mpho Mutavhatsimdi (17) said the paper was fair and not difficult. She said she was really prepared for the paper, which is why she found that it was not bad. “I am ready for paper two, let's just get this over and done with,” she said.
Livhuwani Muitakhole (17) said the exam was easy. “The only question I found difficult was question 9.1, where they asked about the area of a rectangular shape. Given that there was a shaded part inside of it, that question showed me flames,” said Livhuwani.
She added that she was fully prepared for this exam and is ready for the next paper.
In preparing for the final exams, the pupils had to put in extra effort by attending extra lessons every day after school and on weekends.
“We also formed study groups where we had to cross night at school. Without the help and dedication of our teachers this wouldn’t have been possible. Our teachers made sure we are ready for those exams. It’s the first time the school has grade 12 pupils and with the hard work and effort put in, I believe we will all make it,” said the pupils.
