Cape Town – In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, Robin Geldenhuys, an 18-year-old matric learner from Grassdale High School in Grassy Park, has achieved a Bachelor's pass in her National Senior Certificate, including a distinction in Afrikaans. This achievement is especially poignant as she wrote the Afrikaans exam on the very day her 23-year-old brother, Kyle van Schalkwyk, tragically died in a motorbike accident.
The devastating news reached Robin's mother, Sylvia Geldenhuys, as Robin was preparing to leave for her final examination. While Sylvia stood at the scene of the accident in Southfield, Robin made the courageous decision to proceed with her exam, fulfilling her brother's wish for her to complete her schooling and achieve a Bachelor's pass with distinction.
"I had tears while writing my exam, but I told myself he would have wanted me to be here, to finish school," Robin told the Cape Argus, shortly after receiving her results. "He wanted me to pass with a Bachelor’s and to get a distinction in Afrikaans, and that is exactly the results I received. I remained focused."
Sylvia shared the immense pride she felt upon receiving her daughter's results, imagining how her son would have reacted. "I said to Robin, he would have been so proud of you; it would have been like he was writing the exam."
She further elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the exam, "That morning when the accident happened, Robin had to write her last paper in Afrikaans, and I said to her, see the achievement you have for that particular subject. It was not easy, and the principal asked her that morning, are you ready to write? And she said yes.”
Robin's dedication to her studies has always been evident. "She is a child who, when she comes from school, will not eat first; she will do her homework first," Sylvia proudly stated. "I always tell her that hard work pays off in the end. She has always been a top-achiever learner."
A week after her examinations concluded, another of Kyle's wishes for his sister was honoured. Members of his biking fraternity, "No Problems MCC", organised a memorable matric farewell send-off for Robin, with nearly fifty bikers participating.
Sylvia recounted, “He said he wanted there to be ten bikers at her matric farewell, and after his passing, it was so marvellous that they (the club) rallied together to give her a beautiful matric send-off. They called him Choppie, and they said we are doing this for Choppie’s sister, and there were close to fifty bikers present, and we were so grateful.”
Looking ahead, Robin aspires to pursue a career in teaching. Her family is hopeful that she will receive a bursary or be able to fund her studies through employment. Robin's story is a testament to her strength, perseverance, and the enduring bond she shared with her brother.
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