Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi
As thousands of Grade 12 learners across Gauteng gear up for their National Senior Certificate examinations, Premier Panyaza Lesufi has issued a heartfelt message of encouragement. In a media statement released on 19 October 2025, Lesufi highlighted the province’s strong track record in matric results and urged parents, guardians, and communities to rally behind the students during this critical time.
The exams, set to commence on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, mark the culmination of a challenging year for the Class of 2025. With Gauteng consistently ranking among the top-performing provinces, Lesufi’s words aim to boost morale and reinforce the government’s commitment to educational success.
Premier’s Message of Support and Confidence
In the statement, Lesufi extended his best wishes to the matriculants, emphasising the importance of their hard work and dedication. “On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, I wish the Class of 2025 all the best in their upcoming final examinations. May your hard work and dedication throughout the year bear fruit as you prepare for these exams, which mark the culmination of your basic education,” he said.
He reminded learners of Gauteng’s impressive performance in recent years, noting that the province has maintained its position among the top three nationally. In 2024, Gauteng achieved an 88.4% pass rate, placing it third behind the Free State (91%) and KwaZulu-Natal (89.5%). Lesufi expressed confidence that the Class of 2025 would continue this proud tradition of academic excellence and resilience.
The premier also called on parents and guardians to provide unwavering support during the exam period. “All parents and guardians are called upon to support the learners throughout the exam period,” the statement read. This plea underscores the role of community involvement in ensuring a conducive environment for studying and writing exams.
Exam Logistics and Preparations in Gauteng
This year, a total of 188,057 candidates have registered to write the NSC exams in Gauteng. This includes 144,315 full-time and 43,742 part-time learners. The examinations will take place at 1,007 centres across the province, comprising 741 public schools, 267 independent schools, and 25 designated centres.
Lesufi noted that the Gauteng Provincial Government has worked tirelessly throughout the year to prepare the matriculants for success. Systems have been put in place to mitigate potential disruptions, such as service delivery protests and operational challenges, ensuring that all learners can write their exams under safe and conducive conditions.
The province’s consistent high performance is attributed to various interventions, including extra classes, study camps, and targeted support for underperforming schools. These efforts have helped Gauteng maintain pass rates above 80% in recent years, with improvements in key subjects like mathematics and physical science.
Calls for a Unified Examination System
While wishing the learners well, Lesufi’s statement aligns with his ongoing advocacy for educational reform. Earlier in 2025, the premier proposed a single examination system for all matric learners in public and private schools, sparking discussions on fairness and equity. He argued that South Africa, as one country, should have one matric exam to eliminate disparities between different schooling systems.
This view has received mixed reactions. The Democratic Alliance refuted claims that it supports the current 30% pass mark, instead calling for an incremental increase to 50% to improve educational standards. Lesufi’s push for unification aims to create a level playing field, ensuring all students are assessed under the same criteria.
Challenges and Support During Exam Period
The matric exams are a high-stakes period for learners, with results determining access to higher education and job opportunities. In Gauteng, the government has implemented measures to support students, including mental health resources and security at exam centres to prevent disruptions.
Despite these preparations, challenges like load shedding and community protests have historically affected exams. However, the province has contingency plans, such as backup generators at key venues, to ensure smooth operations.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane, who will announce the 2024 matric results in January 2026, has also been vocal in supporting the Class of 2025. His department continues to focus on improving outcomes, particularly in township and rural schools.
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