Matric exams start today for more than 960,000 candidates
SABC News reported that more than 960,000 matriculants countrywide will write their final exams this year, and Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile said the province is ready and is deploying scanners to curb cheating. IOL reported that KwaZulu-Natal alone has over 203,000 candidates starting on 13 October, and that learners caught cheating face a three-session ban while staff face immediate dismissal. The Citizen said the department urged against threats or blame over results.
The matric certificate decides access to university and many jobs, so leaks and cheating damage trust in the whole system.
If a family member is writing, check the timetable, transport and documents the night before.
Watch for reports of leaked papers in the first week.
DailyDrop South Africa edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026