Teen Commits Suicide After Failing Matric
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a teen reportedly committed suicide after failing her matric exams.
18-year-old Onthatile Makgale, who aspired to pursue a career in civil engineering, took her own life after struggling to come to terms with the disappointment of not passing her final year of high school. The incident has left her family and the community of Klerksdorp in North West reeling with grief.
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Teen Takes Her Life After Matric Failure
Onthatile, a Vaal Reefs Technical High School student, had diligently studied to ensure success in the crucial subjects required for university admission. However, her dreams were shattered when she received her results and discovered that she had not met the required grades in Mathematics and Physical Science, the very subjects essential for her chosen course.
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Overwhelmed by despair, Onthatile tragically ended her life on Friday of the previous week. North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed the incident to Zimoja, stating,
“We can confirm that an inquest docket has been opened to investigate the alleged suicide of a girl who hanged herself on a tree in Orkney on Friday, January 19.
A Devastated Family’s Regret
Her family, still grappling with the shock of her untimely death, expressed their deep sorrow. Her older sister, Kgomotso, revealed that they firmly believed Onthatile could have repeated the grade and obtained her matric certificate.
Recalling the days leading up to the incident, Kgomotso shared that Onthatile had asked to stay over at a friend’s house in anticipation of the results.
“She wanted to experience the excitement of waiting for the newspaper like any other grade 12 learner. I believe she was hurt by the contrast between her friend passing and her own failure. She had put in so much effort, hoping to succeed,” Kgomotso lamented.
To their utter shock, the family discovered Onthatile’s lifeless body hanging from a tree in the backyard.
Kgomotso expressed the family’s profound grief, particularly over the fact that Onthatile had not confided in anyone or left a note explaining her feelings about her academic setback.
“This pain is unbearable, and it’s difficult to accept that I will never see her again. I won’t have the chance to take her out for lunch on payday. I regret going to work on Friday instead of accompanying her to collect her statement from the school,” Kgomotso shared, her voice filled with remorse.