Teen writes his exam from ward
WHEN Remember Mashabela developed a sore in his leg, his aunt never anticipated that eight years later he would be writing his matric examination from a hospital ward suffering from acute leukaemia.
Mashabela, 19, of GaSelale in Burgersfort, Limpopo, began his matric exams with other Grade 12 pupils across the country, albeit from a ward at Pretoria East Hospital yesterday.
He was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2004 while doing Grade 6. He was first treated at George Mukhari Hospital, but had a relapse while busy with his matric exams in 2010. He was attending Flora Park Comprehensive School in Polokwane at the time, and had only written two subjects when he fell ill and was forced to drop out.
He obtained more than 70% in the two subjects.
Doctors say he cannot sit through the whole three hours like other pupils. They say he will take a 15 minutes break after every hour. He will also have a doctor in the ward to monitor him.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has visited Mashabela to wish him good luck and to mark the start of the matric exams.
Though Mashabela could only be seen by the public through a window, he was all smiles when he saw cameras focusing on him. His aunt Ditlama said her nephew was very excited about the exams. "He is confident, prepared and very excited. His condition has been draining us, but I am happy that he finally had his wish come true. He wanted to write his matric no matter what."
Ditlama said she took in her nephew when he was seven years old after his mother died. "He has been my child since then and the strongest person I know. He believes that a positive mind can heal you. I fear what might happen to him but I choose to remain positive. His illness was detected after he developed a small sore in his leg."
Mashabela has also written a book, Happiness is a Choice, which will be published soon. The book talks about his journey since he was diagnosed with the disease.
Dr Andrew McDonald, who is supervising the team looking after him, said he was being prepared for a bone marrow transplant.
"He is receiving chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant on Thursday."