Soweto - Hundreds of matriculants across Soweto braved a rather damp, chilly morning to celebrate their final examination results.
There were jubilant scenes at newspaper stands and schools in the township on Thursday, as learners arrived to find out if they had passed.
Speaking to BuaNews at Naledi station - where a handful of learners, mostly with their parents queued for the newspapers in the early hours of the morning - learners relived the challenging year.
From homework, assignments, the FIFA World Cup and the three-week public servants' strike to preliminary exams, most learners agreed it was a tough year.
"With the World Cup break and the strike - it was really tough for us. It meant that we had to put in extra effort, but I am confident that I have made it," said an anxious Palesa Nkonki of Trinity Secondary.
Others were, however, a little worried. "At the moment, I really don't know because throughout the year, it has been kind of up and down, hard work, playing around and stuff like that, but then I might have passed," said another learner who only introduced himself as Siyabonga.
But as soon as the newspapers arrived, screams could be heard, some danced while tears rolled down for some.
"Don't cry my friend, at least you tried your level best ...we all saw how dedicated you were," one learner was consoled.
As soon as the clock struck 7:45am, learners trickled into schools around the area.
At Tetelo High School, some learners passed their examinations, with As in Maths, Mathematics Literacy, Life Orientation and isiZulu.
They told BuaNews that they could not wait to enroll in studies which included Law, Engineering and Information Technology at universities.
Mandla Ngobese was one of the learners who obtained distinctions and was gob-smacked at his results. He got four distinctions in Maths, Accounting, Life Orientation and isiZulu.
"I didn't expect this ...with my mothers' passing early this year and all the breaks [World Cup and teachers' strike] - I don't know how that happened! It hasn't sunk in yet, I'm still in shock," said the excited learner.
Eighteen-year-old Ngobese, who plans to study Electrical Engineering at UJ, attributed his success to his grandmother, who he said has been his pillar of strength.
While disappointed at not having achieved the symbol she wanted, Hazel Mokeona from neighbouring Reasoma High was happy about her marks.
"I am going to university, which is what is important to me. The exams were very tough and I am very proud of myself."
Most schools BuaNews visited - including Altmond Technical school and Vuwani high school - screams could still be heard, while hugs and pats on the back would be seen as learners congratulated one another on their achievements.
Altmond Technical school principal, Joe Molefe, whose learners improved from last year, was ecstatic.
Most of his learners at the school - which suffered a blow after one of its pupils was killed and another left critical after an accident involving Hip Hop artist Jub Jub - scored distinctions in Life Orientation, Maths and Maths Literacy.
Among the schools' cream of the crop, Molefe said was learner Matimba Mabonda, who scored six distinctions in Maths, Civil Technology, Engineering Graphics, Physics, Life Orientation and Xitshonga.
Despite the improvement, Molefe said he was not totally pleased with his overall school performance.
"I will never be happy as long as I still have failures," he said, adding that he was, however, moved was by the hard work that some learners and teachers had put in.
"They have been working very hard to get us where we are today. We owe this achievement to them," added Molefe.
