Reverend Vukile Ntlebi lit four candles to symbolise the removal of darkness and the bringing of light to the learners. The candles were aptly named Peace, Faith, Love and Hope. The largest candle was held by Reverend Zola Yokwana while the others were held by learners, Masibulele Bentlanu of Concordia High School, Thembelihle Konto of Percy Mdala High School and Sesethu Dibela and Ikhona Catha of Knysna High School.
The area commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services Ndileka Booi, accompanied by an offender Francois Coetzee (42), addressed the young people, saying that although Coetzee made mistakes, he became a role-model to other inmates. Through a commitment to studying and reading, Coetzee participated and won a national book review competition in English, hosted in George on October 6 to 8. After 21 years in prison, Coetzee will be released on Monday, October 27.
Coetzee told the young people, "I know people will never trust me again when I am out of the prison; they will always look at whatever I'm do, even though I am now a different person. Spending 21 years in jail was not easy. I don't have family or children, I don't have a place to stay, I have never worked and I have never even had a bank account in my life." He used his life story to motivate the learners to commit to their studies. "Please pupils, take this opportunity to focus on your studies. Don't let your lives end in prison. Education is the key."
Reverend Mzukisi Faleni of Umhlobo Wenene Radio Station and also the chaplain for the Correctional Services Department's office in Cape Town, was one of the speakers of the day. He quoted from from Luke 11:1: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Faleni explained, “If you need Jesus you can pray wherever you are or whenever you need Him - even before you start writing your paper, you must pray.”
The ceremony concluded with all the different reverends praying together for the pupils.
The Khayalethu Community Hall was packed by matric learners, parents, friends, teachers and relatives who prayed for the learners on October 19, prior to the final matric examinations.
Reverend Vukile Ntlebi (left) addresses the audience after lighting symbolic candles at a prayer gathering for matric learners who are writing their final examinations. Holding the candles are (from left) Reverend Zola Yokwana, Masibulele Bentlanu of Concordia High School holding the 'Peace' candle, Thembelihle Konto of Percy Mdala High School with the 'Faith' candle, and Knysna High School learners Sesethu Dibela ('Love' candle) and Ikhona Catha ('Hope' candle).
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