By As thousands of learners gather across the country to sign their National Senior Certificate (NSC) pledges, President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a powerful message of encouragement and accountability to the Matric Class of 2026.
Speaking on Friday, 9 October 2026, at the Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Centre in Qwa-qwa, Free State, the President called on the upcoming cohort to honour their commitments to academic integrity as they stand on the threshold of their final examinations.
The address comes at a crucial juncture for the basic education sector, highlighting both the immense sacrifices made by learners, families, and educators, and the fierce provincial pride surrounding South Africa’s annual matric results.
A Collective Journey of Sacrifice and Support
Addressing an audience that included Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, Provincial MEC for Education Dr. Mantlhake Julia Maboya, local executive mayors, and education stakeholders, President Ramaphosa emphasized that reaching the final examination stage is the culmination of years of perseverance.
- Learner Dedication: Matriculants have given up vital leisure time and social activities with friends to dedicate themselves entirely to their studies.
- Family Backing: Households have continuously provided the necessary guidance, moral support, patience, and love required to foster student success.
- Educator Commitment: Special tribute was paid to South Africa’s teachers, after-school tutors, and educators whose dedication frequently extends long past regular school hours—often at the expense of time with their own families.
The President also drew attention to the inspiring strides made within disadvantaged communities. He noted a steady, encouraging improvement in performance among learners hailing from no-fee schools in both townships and rural areas, underscoring progress toward an equitable education system.
High Stakes and Provincial Rivalry in the Free State
The spotlight naturally fell on the Free State’s proud academic legacy. The province famously achieved the highest matric pass rate in the country for three consecutive years up until 2024. Although KwaZulu-Natal broke that winning streak last year, President Ramaphosa playfully nudged the province to reclaim its top spot.
“As the President of the Republic, I cannot favour any one province in the competition for first place, but we do expect the Free State to do everything it can to take its crown back,” Ramaphosa remarked.
The Pledge of Integrity
Central to the Qwa-qwa gathering—and mirrored in parallel ceremonies nationwide—was the formal signing of the NSC pledge. Learners committed themselves to doing their absolute best, supporting their peers, and upholding strict standards of honesty and integrity.
With the examinations only weeks away, the President warned learners against throwing away years of hard work through momentary lapses in judgment.
- The Cost of Compromise: “The sacrifices have been too great, the journey too long and the investment in yourselves too precious to be derailed now by even a momentary lapse in judgement,” Ramaphosa cautioned.
- National Backing: Reassuring the anxious cohort, he concluded with a strong vote of confidence: “Believe in yourselves, for we believe in you. The nation stands behind you”.
As matriculants open their question papers in the coming days, the education community watches with bated breath, trusting that the Class of 2026 will honour their pledges and reap the rewards of their tireless investments.
