900,000 Matrics Set to Write - DBE Declares “We’re Ready”

With just days to go, South Africa’s biggest exam season is about to begin. Over 900,000 candidates, including more than 766,000 full-time learners are set to sit for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams starting Tuesday. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says all nine provinces are prepped and ready, calling the NSC the “largest and most complex public assessment” in the country’s education system. From secure paper storage to strict monitoring protocols, the DBE insists every box is ticked. The exams run until 27 November. Nzinga Qunta speaks with Minister Gwarube about the department’s readiness.