Not long after they had to endure rotational systems due to Covid-19 restrictions, they have to find ways to study in the dark when the lights go out during load-shedding.

On Monday, they wrote a two-hour-long English paper as the National Senior Certificate officially started.

And with subjects such as Mathematics, History, Physical Sciences and Accounting approaching, they will need to crack open their textbooks and study as much as possible.

News24 visited a high school in Randburg, Gauteng, to ask pupils how load-shedding has affected them and what measures they have put in place to ensure disruptions are minimal.

Bomi Ncetani, who left the exam room feeling confident after writing his first paper, said: "Load-shedding is a great adversity when you have to study because you just cannot study when there is no electricity.

"It's even dangerous studying with a candle because it can fall over, or you can fall asleep and [it can fall over and cause a fire]. Studying has been an issue," he said.

Another pressing issue for Ncetani is delays caused by traffic jams when traffic lights are not working due to load-shedding.

Eighteen-year-old Yolani Bobelo agreed and added that internet connectivity is also an issue during blackouts.

"Load-shedding affects the wi-fi connectivity and when that is down, studying becomes hard," Bobelo said.

She added: It is not easy working in the dark and for some reason, it kills your confidence to study. You end up becoming lazy and putting your books down.

However, it is the last time she will write a high school exam, so she has no choice but to find ways to work hard, she added.

Eighteen-year-old Keane Pillay has found ways to work around load-shedding.

"I make sure that I download my YouTube videos in time so that by the time the lights switch off, I don't just sit [around], but continue studying," he said.

He is not the only one who plans ahead.

A 17-year-old girl from Soweto told News24 that she monitors the load-shedding schedule and plans her studying around it.

"So, in the two hours [of load-shedding], I will do something that doesn't require the wi-fi or electricity, take a nap, or take a break," she said.

When her schedule is tight, she finds alternative sources of light, such as candles and rechargeable lights.

She added that she had hoped there wouldn't be any load-shedding during the matric finals.

News24