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Johannesburg - Siphesihle Sithole, 18, from Soshanguve in Pretoria had to study for his 2013 National Senior Certificate matric exams using a candle.

This was due to socio-economic challenges that his big disadvantaged family struggled through. But despite this, Sithole tells of how he could not describe his excitement when he received a call from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga’s office telling him he was amongst the top 10 national achievers from the Class of 2013. Motshekga is announcing the 2013 Matric results this evening.

Sithole, who sharpened his pencil at the Makhosini Combined Secondary School in Soshanguve, said he was glad to have been named amongst 2013’s top achievers despite his difficult circumstances.

“I remember shortly after our June trial exams started, we didn’t have electricity at home and I had to complete the exams using a candle.

“I just had to adjust to using a candle to study at night but did most of my studying during the day,” he said.

“The word ecstatic is an understatement and can’t even begin to describe how I felt when I received that call. I’m over the moon,” he said.

While Sithole said he had not been told what symbols he obtained, he had specialised in Mathematics and Physical Science and that he had been accepted to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Pretoria this year.

About 25 learners were invited by Motshekga when she announced the matric results at the SABC studios in Auckland Park on Monday.

Sobantu Nyalunga, 17, from the Wattville in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, said while he was a bit excited after receiving a call from the minister’s office on Friday, the excitement is still clouded with a bit of anxiety as he awaits to receive his full statement of results to see what symbols he has obtained.

“After the minister’s office called with the good news on Friday, anxiety still kicked in and I immediately lost my appetite,” he joked.

Nyalunga said he has been accepted to study Chemical Engineering at the University of the Witswatersrand this year.

He also said that he wants to use his passion for chemistry to create jobs upon completion of his degree, and to hopefully make it to invest in engineering business ventures. – SANews.gov.za