To apply for a spot in Unisa, I need to provide a matric certificate, preferably with exemption. As I think I’ve mentioned before, I didnt get an exemption but I’ll apply for a Mature Exemption (‘cos at the age of 26 I’m “mature” lol). The problem comes in that I dont actually have my physical certificate.

When I matriculated, I still had one or two textbooks that I never returned (due to laziness I’m ashamed to admit), so they withheld the certificate. I was also told at various points that without an exemption I wouldnt get into university so I didnt think I’d need my matric certifcate any time soon. Well, now is when I need it.

So I went through the whole schlep of getting an affidevit from the police as to why I no longer have my certificate, a certified copy of my ID book, and of couse the application form as per this website.

After a day from hell on Monday, which I wont even go into here, I managed to get my certified copy of my ID, my affidevit, and I printed and completed the required form. Then I dashed over to the Dept of Education (after struggling to find them for almost 30min!!), only to find they closed fairly shortly before my arrival. Sigh!

So today I went back, they were open, I paid my R35 and have officially applied for a copy of my matric certificate. I’m told it’ll take around 2 months to get to me (another sigh!). This will mean I might miss the applications for Unisa 2010 as they close on Oct 16 (or so I was told in an email, but the website says Oct 31). I do believe they have late admissions, so hopefully I can try that way if need be. Hopefully.

But, I’m getting somewhere…and that’s something!