Overcoming power cuts and pressure: Sekele's journey to academic excellence and historic leadership

Studying by candlelight during power cuts and writing exams day after day without time to recover, Sekele Ramatsobane from Forte Secondary School saw her matric year push her to both mental and emotional limits.

Yet amid exhaustion and pressure, she rose into leadership history, becoming the first female president of her school and turning hardship into a defining moment of growth.

Describing her academic year as “a rollercoaster,” the 18-year-old said it was an experience she would not trade for anything. There were moments during the final exams when she was forced to study by candle or rechargeable light due to ongoing power outages while sitting for examinations almost daily.

“I experienced extreme fatigue and emotional imbalance because I had to constantly prepare myself mentally for the next paper. There were times when I wrote on a Monday and had to force myself not to process how I felt about that exam because I needed to be mentally ready again for Tuesday,” she explained.

At one point, the pressure became overwhelming and led to a breakdown, as she struggled to find space to recover emotionally between exams. 

“It felt like I was carrying everything at once, with no time to breathe,” she said.

Despite this, Sekele emerged stronger academically than she had expected. She consistently featured among the school’s top achievers throughout the year and finished her preliminary exams ranked second overall, with an average of 85%.

“In the middle of everything, I surprised myself with what I was capable of achieving,” she added.

Her biggest highlight, however, came beyond the classroom. Sekele became the first female president of her school, an unexpected milestone, having served as treasurer of the RCL in 2024. That leadership role opened further doors, leading to her appointment as Treasurer of the Johannesburg West district for 2025.

Academically, she maintained an average above 82% across the year, attended the SAICA camp for 2025, and was invited to the G20 in October. Although exams prevented her from attending, she still received recognition for the achievement.

Looking ahead, Sekele hopes to study BCom Accounting at Wits University. Her long-term goal is to graduate with distinction, obtain a PhD in accounting, and return to her hometown to give back. She aspires to lead in spaces where women are underrepresented and to inspire young girls to believe that their dreams are valid.

Reflecting on her journey, she said her results do not reveal the moments when prayer was her only strength, or the resilience she developed along the way. Matric taught her that anything is possible with focus, faith and patience, and that success arrives in its own time.

Her advice to the class of 2026, particularly commerce learners, is clear: do not let society limit your vision. Take breaks when overwhelmed, maintain a positive mindset, and remember that South Africa needs future leaders willing to persevere.

The Star

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