Soweto matrics smiling at start of examinations

MATRICS across the country yesterday sat for their English 2nd language paper 1 exam.

There are 620,266 registered candidates for the 2011 national Senior Certificate exams - 512,029 full-time and 108,237 part-time.

In Soweto pupils left the exam room smiling.

Sibongile Ndlovu, 20, of Bhukulani Senior Secondary School, said she was excited about writing matric.

"Today's paper wasn't difficult. It contained things I studied, so I found it easy," she said.

Ndlovu said she was trying not to stress about the exams.

"I'm not panicking. I did revision using previous question papers. I also prayed. Prayer and studying go hand-in-hand."

Ndlovu hopes to get a distinction in history and wants to study law after matric.

Her friend Siphesihle Dube, 18, also found the paper easy.

"I'm more than ready for the rest of the subjects I studied. But I still need to do more revision in physical science.

"I'm writing it on November 11, so I still have time to improve."

Dube wants to be a climatologist when she finishes school.

Meadowlands High has had a problematic schooling year but pupils there are hopeful that they will pass matric.

Tebogo Mogame, 19, enjoyed the English paper. "I wrote well. There were no difficulties.

"We (pupils) were taken to a camp in Magaliesburg for two weeks. Our teachers and Department of Education facilitators were there. It has helped me a lot because we revised all subjects. I believe we are all well prepared for the exams," Mogame said.

He said he was looking forward to writing the other subjects.

Innocentia Chauke, 18, of Orlando High School, said they went to camp for a week.

"It was great. We met with pupils from other schools. The revisions were good. The English paper was too easy.

"I have problems in accounting and I am writing it tomorrow (today) but I will give it my best shot," Chauke said.

Exams end on December 1.

Marking starts on December 2 and ends on December 15 in most provinces.