Northern Cape matric learners nervous, excited about exams

Learners at Northern Cape High School in Kimberley have expressed a mix of excitement and nerves ahead of Thursday’s English Paper Three exam.

National Senior Certificate matric candidates across the country are writing English Paper Three.

The examinations got underway earlier this week.

Cady de Koker and Rayan Kunnath say they are anxious but optimistic as they enter the final stretch of their high school careers.

They describe the matric examinations as an important milestone in their lives.

MATRIC 2026 | More than 15,000 candidates are sitting for the 2026 matric exams in the Northern Cape, as the province aims to improve on last year’s 87.79% pass rate.

SABC News reporter Keith Sayster speaks to Education MEC Abraham Vosloo, who outlines the department’s state of readiness. — SABC News (@SABCNews) October 13, 2026 “Whatever I do, I have to go in there with confidence.

We have worked for this the whole year, and whatever we know and whatever we have studied for, we just have to show that, and we have to show people that we are prepared and ready to give our best in this,” says a student.

“We have all prepared well enough for this.

All our teachers have helped us throughout the year to prepare for this exam, and it is all the final push now.

So I believe that.

I just want everyone to give their best and not to regret that they did not do much or do enough,” says another student.

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