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LEARNERS: RISING ABOVE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES
Library becomes safe haven for exams TARRYN-LEIGH SOLOMONS @tarryns07
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Leonsdale resident, who obtained two distinctions in the 2019 National Senior Certificate exams and made use of the Leonsdale Library to study, says he feels honoured to have been personally congratulated by Mayor Dan Plato. Nathan Strydom obtained two distinctions: one for English and the other for Business Studies. “‘I visited the library frequently during my exams and received a lot of help from library friends and librarians. I had past papers and used the study guides which helped me a lot. I am passionate about education and would like to become a teacher.” The 18-year-old, who attended Elsies River High School, says he chose to study at the library because he was easily distracted at home. “I also couldn’t study at night because one would always hear gunshots going off. The library was a safe space for me and one which also offered me some personal space. The rule of libraries is that no one should talk, so this was an added bonus.”
Nathan says he aspires to study teaching at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). “I’ve been provisionally accepted, but just waiting for the final confirmation of what the outcome of my application was. “My passion for teaching was ignited when I started tutoring a few learners at school last year. There were a few who struggled with business studies, English, mathematics and mathematical literacy.” He says he had a difficult upbringing as a child and his only goal was to make a success of his life to create a better life for his family. A Clarke Estate resident, Destiny Strydom, who is not related to Nathan, also studied at the library and accessed the facility with the help of Walking Bus members. The former St. Andrews Secondary School learner has been accepted to complete a Business Management degree at Varsity College. Destiny is the first in her household to have completed her matric. “For the 2019 exams, I obtained one distinction in Afrikaans first additional language. I aimed to inspire my younger twin sisters who are 11 years old,” she says. V To page 2.
Destiny Strydom from Clarke Estate is the first in her household to have passed matric. She says she never allowed her circumstances to determine her future. PHOTO: TARRYN-LEIGH SOLOMONS