Close to one million South African matriculants, including those at Fezeka Secondary School in Gugulethu, took a solemn pledge to uphold honesty, discipline, and integrity as the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations commenced on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube led a pledge-signing ceremony on 9 October, calling on learners to resist cheating and focus on genuine preparation.
Minister Gwarube warned learners at the event in Gugulethu: “There are no shortcuts to success. A cellphone hidden in a pocket is not preparation. A leaked question paper is not intelligence. Copying another learner’s work is not achievement.” She added firmly, “Don’t cheat. You will be found out.” The minister emphasised that the pledge was about learners committing to writing their exams with integrity, without resorting to dishonest means.
The NSC exams will run until 26 November 2026, with 962,832 candidates registered nationally, the Department of Basic Education confirmed. These exams remain a pivotal milestone in young South Africans’ education, shaping access to tertiary studies and employment opportunities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa offered words of encouragement to the Class of 2026: “Believe in yourselves, for we believe in you. The nation stands behind you. We are proud of you for having reached this milestone. And we wish you every success.”
Education watchdog Umalusi affirmed the readiness of the examination system. It stated that any concerns raised ahead of the exams were isolated issues and did not jeopardise the overall integrity or credibility of the 2026 NSC exams.
The significance of this exam season goes beyond individual results. Maintaining exam integrity safeguards the value of the National Senior Certificate, which underpins public trust in South Africa’s education system. The large volume of candidates presents logistical challenges, but also underscores the collective importance of fair assessment practices.
While the pledge ceremonies received media attention, claims about the total number of learners who signed the pledge or the coverage of the events at every school remain unverified, according to available sources.
The next major update will come as the exams progress, with attention focusing on fair conduct during the National Senior Certificate examinations and the final release of results early next year.