'I know she is proud of me' - matriculant pushes through loss

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - For many, passing your matric year is no easy task.

Losing a parent while the stress of exams hovers throughout the year makes it even more of a challenge.

This was the reality for Sao Bras High School matriculant Tyricq Uithaler.

Uithaler was announced as the third of the school's top matric learners for 2025 before receiving his long-awaited National Senior Certificate results on Tuesday 13 January.

The devastating loss of his mother paired with some challenges relating to his mental health made his Grade 12 success even sweeter.

"All those sleepless nights, all my tears were worth it," he said. "It was a really difficult year, but without God, I wouldn't be standing here."

He is currently awaiting feedback from the University of the Western Cape, where he hopes to study law this year. "I know she [his mother] is proud of me," he said.

Sao Bras High achieved a pass rate of 92.6%.

The school's principal, Henry Willemse, thanked both the learners and educators for their efforts throughout 2025, and hopes to reach a pass rate of 100% with this year's class of Grade 12 learners.

"This is a product of hard work, dedication and faith in yourselves," he said.

Sao Bras High’s principal, Henry Willemse, and the school’s top three matric learners, Shanique Bruinders, Luchen Moolman and Tyricq Uithaler. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz