LEE-ANN OLWAGE
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The Dance

On the night of the matric dance (prom night) communities on the outskirts of Cape Town buzz with activity. Red carpets are rolled out and living rooms are transformed with layers of organza fabric. Tables are heavily laid with food for family (including everyone from your auntie to your auntie’s auntie) and friends to share. The street outside is filled with family, friends, and community members. Excited kids run down the street as the sound of a sports car fills the air as it approaches the crowded house. 

 

A young woman, wearing a ball gown steps onto the red carpet, and the community cheer with pride. Her date, who is anxiously waiting with a bunch of flowers, is wearing a beautifully tailored tuxedo that is perfectly color-coded to match her dress and complimented with the latest pair of sneakers as the perfect cool accessory. 

 

For one night these students get to look like movie stars and are treated like royalty by their family. It’s only once you take a step back from the glamorous scene that you begin to get a glimpse of the many challenges these students have had to overcome in order to finish high school. 

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Blessing Kalonji (18) from Kensington is the daughter of a Congolese father and a Zambian mother. She is the eldest of 3 siblings and the second to graduate from high school, after her mother.

“There is a lot of gangsterism in the area where I live. It’s become normalized to be a gangster. Any time of the week you can see kids standing on street corners, girls with babies, and grown men who should be working. A lot of people believe that the area defines you and that you have no hope of a better life, so why even try. There are no icons to look up to in our community. I believe that hard work and determination will determine your future." 20 Sep. 2019
Bilaees Gamiet (17) from Salt River attended Salt River High’s matric dance with her date Kivan Abbas. She is one of 10 siblings and the first to graduate from high school on her father’s side. Her proud family hosted a get together before the dance at a community hall in Salt River. 29 Nov. 2019
Jenna Mennas (18) from Mitchells Plain, Woodlands attended Wynberg High School. After school she wants to study business so that she can enter the business world.
“I am excited to be finishing school, but I will also miss it. High school made me the person I am today. One of my teachers, Mrs. Bradshaw, was always there for us. We could go to her at any time and talk to her about personal things. She was always there to encourage us. The sad thing is that sometimes kids who have a lot of potential and who actually want to finish high school have to drop out to work so that they can help support their families.” 27 Sep. 2019
Jaydene Lakay (18) from Cloetesville celebrated the day of her matric dance with her proud family. She is one of 3 siblings and the first in her family to graduate from high school.

“In these times you can’t blame your circumstances for where you end up in life. I want to rise up and prove that I can make something of my life.” 17 Sep. 2019
Robin February (19) from Cloetesville celebrated her matric dance with her family at her aunt’s house in Cloetesville. Her aunt, Carmen Davids, sponsored her dress and a car for the dance. After losing both her parents 10 years ago she was forced to move around and live with various family members. 

“Growing up without parents has been extremely difficult for me and is probably the hardest thing I have had to overcome. As I get older it gets harder. I wish I had them around to ask about all the things I am experiencing as I grow up. I hate family days. I miss them more and more as I get older.” 17 Sep. 2019
Layla Baradien (18) from Bridgetown Athlone is a very self-motivated young woman. She is the eldest of 3 siblings and the first in her family to graduate from high school. She is a top student at her school and received a bursary to study at UWC where she will pursue her dream to become a geography teacher. Layla and her date, Uzair Abrahams, stand in the street in front of her house in Bridgetown, Athlone surrounded by community members. 

"I don’t want to stay in this area for the rest of my life. I see how the kids around me drop out of school and fall victim to drug abuse and gangsterism. I want something better for my life.”  
Cleo Paulse (18) is surrounded by community members at her family home in Hanover Park. She is the eldest of 3 siblings and the second, after her mother, to finish high school. 

“The problem is that from a young age kids are only influenced by what they see in this community which is a lot of poverty and violence. Your general knowledge is limited and this is all you know. Most people don’t go out of the area so they are not exposed to many things. The youth need young role models to inspire them. You learn a lot from your peers and we can influence each other in a positive way. If you see other young people succeeding it inspires you and you can relate to that. It sets a tone. The future is ours for the taking. I hope to be a positive role model in my community."9 Aug. 2019
Angelo Fortuin (19) from Cloetesville is pictured at his grandmother's house where his graduation was celebrated. He is the middle child and the second to graduate from high school to his proud parents who never had the opportunity to finish school. One day he wants to provide a better life for his parents and his future children. 17 Sep. 2019
Cayllyn Jacobs (18) from Fishhoek and Carla Jeftha (18), from Klipfontein, Philipi on the night of their matric dance that was held at Wynberg High. Mrs. Cornelius transformed the assembly hall at the school into a beautiful venue for the matric dance. 
“I think the youth needs to be more ambitious and take on more. It’s not where you come from but where you are going. There are so many opportunities in the world. You don’t just have to be a waitress or work in your dad's garage. School only shows you a small portion of opportunities out there, but don’t stop there, there is a world full of possibility. No goal is too big or too small.” - Cayllyn Jacobs 27 Sep. 2019
Skye Donough (17) from Kensington describes herself as honest, kind, and gentle. She attended Kensington High School and celebrated the day of the dance with her family and close friends. Her message to the youth in her community: “Life is what you make of it. You can’t just follow your friends and drop out of school because they are doing it.” 20 Sep. 2019
Shakeelah Davids (19) who attended Wynberg High School poses with her date Daniel Laun in Parkwood where she grew up, in a dress made by a family friend. She is the eldest of 3 siblings and the second to finish high school, after her mom. In 2020 she wants to study interior design and she aspires to create a better life for herself and her family. 

“The youth need to find inspiration and aspiration. Most people in my community don’t aspire to anything more than what they see every day. They should aspire to greater things and want more for themselves and their families.” 27 Sep. 2019
Reyana Kube (18) from Woodstock is a remarkable young woman who wasn’t going to let anything get in her way of finishing school. She is pictured here at an abandoned hospital in Woodstock where she lives with her family. Her family was one of the initial 5 families who occupied the old abandoned hospital in Woodstock 2 years ago, now they share the building with approximately 700 residents. But this was not the only challenge Reyana overcame. On the 21st of July 2019 she gave birth to her baby girl and on the 5th of August she returned to school to finish her final year. 

“I decided that a baby wasn’t going to stand in my way of finishing school. I needed to do this to give her a better life. My mom helped me so much through all of this." 29 Nov. 2019
Stella Illunga (19) from Kensington attended Kensington High. “I was born in South Africa, my mom is Congolese and my dad is Portuguese. I don’t have a green id book or citizenship and am therefore Congolese. I have lived here my whole life but I’m still seen as an immigrant. I wanted to study next year to become a pilot or a flight attendant but it’s really expensive and because I’m not South African I can’t get a bursary. No matter what your circumstances or how poor you are don’t ever give up. That matric certificate is a key that can open any door. Don’t let finances get in the way of following your dreams. I’m not letting it stop me. Keep working hard - it pays off in the end! There’s so much peer pressure to belong especially in a community where there is a lack of strong, positive role models. The kids repeat the same cycle their parents fell into. Most kids don’t feel like they are capable of becoming anything or doing much in life here.” 20 Sep. 2019
Cheslyn Boer (19) from Kensington poses in front of her house in a dress that
was made by her friends mother. Next year the ambitious Cheslyn wants to
study part time and work. Her advice to the youth in her community: “ I know it’s hard to finish school but in the end it’s worth it.”  20 Sep. 2019
Stella Illunga (19) and Blessing Kalonji (18) have been best friends since they were babies. Stella’s dad left them when she was a baby and her mom let
Blessing’s mom and dad move in to generate extra income. They have been best friends ever since and graduated from Kensington High together in 2019. 20 Sep. 2019
Asemahle Mbijana (17) from Wesbank township attended Sarepta Secondary School. Her dream for the future is to study hard and to become one of the best charted accountants in South Africa.

“It was challenging losing both my parents and living with family can be hard. My grandmother has a big family so there isn’t a lot of space and sometimes it can be noisy and disruptive to study. Moving around has been ungrounding, but I have learnt that if you want something you have to work hard and just go for it!” 19 Sep. 2019
Asemahle Mbijana (17) from Wesbank township attended Sarepta Secondary School. Her dream for the future is to study hard and to become one of the best charted accountants in South Africa.

“It was challenging losing both my parents and living with family can be hard. My grandmother has a big family so there isn’t a lot of space and sometimes it can be noisy and disruptive to study. Moving around has been ungrounding, but I have learnt that if you want something you have to work hard and just go for it!” 19 Sep. 2019
Chad Johnson (19) and his date Jaylin Arendse in Lotus River where they celebrated Chad’s achievement at his aunt’s house before going to the matric dance. Chad wants to work for the South African police force in an admin position. “I want to work in my own community so that I can make a difference and help people.” Chad has faced many adversities in life. He was born with one leg and his father passed away when he was 16. Coming from an area where just getting to school can be a challenge due to gang violence Chad had to find the strength within to persevere. “I dropped out of school for a month after my father passed away. I realized that I am the eldest and that my mother was all alone. I wanted to make my father proud so I decided to go back to school. This was a very challenging time for me.”  27 Sep. 2019
Jaylin Arendse in Lotus River. 27 Sep. 2019
Bilaees Gamiet (17) from Salt River attended Salt River High’s matric dance with her date Kivan Abbas. 29 Nov. 2019
Shakeelah Davids (19) who attended Wynberg High School poses in a field in Parkwood on the day of her matric dance. 27 Sep. 2019
Zarnize Jegers (19) from Salt River High is the eldest of three siblings. Her very proud mom and aunt organized a celebration at their home in Maitland in honor of Zarnize who is the first in her family to graduate from high school. Zarnize is a hard working, confident and very self-motivated young woman. Despite failing a year, due to family problems, she persisted and went back to finish school. She had a lot of support from her family and this motivated her to keep going. 
“This is just the start for me.” 29 Nov. 2019
Zarnize Seegers with her date Antonio Ferguson from Mitchells Plain who accompanied her to the matric dance. 29 Nov. 2019