Free State grade 12 learners are part of over 600 000 learners who will be writing the English paper in 6 326 examination centres around the country. It’s understood that the matriculants from places such as Kgotsong near Bothaville will write their exams at camps. This town last week experienced water supply cuts after the Sedibeng Water utility cut off the supply to areas such as Kgotsong and Monyakeng in Wesselsbron over a whopping R245 million debt owed by the Nala Local Muncipality to the water utility. The water utility had required the municipality to pay over R26 million in arrears. Makgoe will be at the Moroka Secondary School in Thaba Nchu to monitor the start of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

Meanwhile, OFM News’ Tumelo Khota reported that many matric learners feel like ongoing power cuts in Maluti-A-Phofung, which includes Qwaqwa, Kestell, and Harrismith in the Eastern parts of the province, is another obstacle trying to rob them of their Senior Certificates.

Khota’s report indicated that these students feel the municipality is not doing enough to solve electricity issues. Some learners tell OFM News they are forced to study only during the day, despite feeling tired, as at night there will be no electricity when they need to prepare for the exams. They, however, stay hopeful, crossing their fingers that they will conquer the 2021 exams. They are adamant that they can't surrender at the final stage of their schooling career.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane and Tumelo Khotha