By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – At just 21, Modiehi Zim from Monontsha is rewriting her future. After dropping out of school in 2023 due to an unplanned pregnancy, the young mother has returned to the classroom with renewed determination.
She is now part of the Class of 2025 matriculants at Mohato Secondary School – a powerful story of courage, second chances, and hope.
“I dropped out of school before I could complete my matric in 2023, and during that time, I became a young mother in 2024,” Modiehi recalls. “Last year, my younger sibling completed matric, and that motivated me to go back to school. I approached Principal Mosikatsana and asked for another chance.
He agreed, and now I’m excited to write my final exams as part of the matric class of 2025.”
Once on the verge of becoming another dropout statistic, Modiehi refused to let her circumstances define her. Instead, she chose to face her challenges head-on and reclaim her education.
“Many of my peers who face similar challenges decide to drop out and never return to school,” she said softly. “I’m happy that I got the chance to rewrite my story.”
Her journey is both inspiring and symbolic of resilience in the face of social and economic pressures. Teenage pregnancy is a growing concern in South Africa. According to national statistics, over 150,000 teenage pregnancies were reported in the 2022/2023 financial year. Alarmingly, around 365 teenage girls give birth every day, with 10 of those births to mothers under the age of 15.
For many young mothers, falling pregnant often signals the end of their schooling journey. But Modiehi’s story is different; it’s one of fighting back.Her mother, Mpho Zim, beams with pride as she speaks about her daughter’s decision.
“I’m so happy that despite the challenges we faced during her last matric year, Modiehi remained determined to finish what she started. I thank God for giving her the strength to go back, and I’m grateful for the support we, as a family, have been able to give her. I wish her all the best in her upcoming exams,” she said.
Modiehi is one of 128 matric learners at Mohato Secondary School preparing for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, which begin on 21 October 2025. The school’s principal, Lekhetho Mosikatsana, praised the learners for their resilience and urged them to stay focused.
“Our learners have shown great commitment. As educators, we’ve done our best to prepare them. Now it’s their turn to focus on their future and succeed. Our goal is a 100% matric pass rate. As the only high school in Monontsha, we play a critical role in shaping the community’s future by producing young people ready to contribute meaningfully,” Mosikatsana said.
For Modiehi, this return to school is not just about a certificate. It is about reclaiming her dreams, proving to herself and others that it’s never too late to rise again. She now juggles the responsibilities of motherhood and schoolwork, waking up early to prepare for the day, attending classes, studying late, and caring for her child.
Her perseverance has already made her a role model in her community. Teachers say her determination has encouraged other learners to stay the course, even when life gets tough.
As the matric exams draw closer, Modiehi stands tall among her classmates, not just as a student, but as a living testimony that with faith, family support, and inner strength, second chances can become powerful new beginnings.
