- South Africa's Grade 12 learners signed the national examination integrity pledge on Friday, 9 October 2026
- President Ramaphosa, Minister Gwarube and Deputy Minister Mhaule each addressed learners at ceremonies across the country
- The 2026 NSC exams kick off on Tuesday with Computer Applications Technology Paper 1 and run until 26 November
Source: Getty Images
South Africa's matric class of 2026 made a formal commitment to honest conduct on Friday, 9 October, signing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination integrity pledge just days before exams begin on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Pledge ceremonies took place across the country, with senior government officials present to address candidates and underscore the gravity of the moment.
Ramaphosa urges Free State to reclaim its crown
President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the ceremony at Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Centre in Qwaqwa, in the Free State. He told learners that a single lapse in judgement could undo years of hard work, and acknowledged the sacrifices made by families and teachers who had supported them along the way. Ramaphosa gave special recognition to candidates from no-fee township and rural schools, before issuing a challenge to the province to reclaim its position as the top-performing matric region in the country from KwaZulu-Natal.
In Gauteng, Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule and MEC Lebogang Maile joined learners at Riverside High School in Vereeniging. They told candidates that signing the pledge was not simply a formality but a personal promise to themselves about the kind of future they wanted to build.
Minister Gwarube warns against exam irregularities
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube addressed learners at Fezeka Secondary School in the Western Cape, where she issued a firm warning against exam irregularities. She specifically cautioned candidates against smuggling cellphones or leaked papers into examination venues, stressing that the value of the NSC certificate rests entirely on the integrity of how it is earned.
The 2026 NSC exams open on Tuesday with Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical in the first session. The second session on the same day covers non-official and minority languages, including Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Hebrew and German. The full examination period runs through to Thursday, 26 November 2026.
More on matric 2026
- Briefly News recently reported on Queen Nandi’s daughter, who stepped out in a show-stopping gown that Mzansi said left no crumbs.
- A De Doorns family is mourning after a Grade 9 learner’s tragic accident at his school’s matric farewell.
- One Cape Town matriculant skipped his pre-party for a selfless act that fed 300 people and touched hearts across Mzansi.
Source: Briefly News
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