Displaced Zimbabwean learners could get chance to sit South Africa matric exams

Zimbabwean Grade 12 pupils who left South Africa amid a wave of xenophobic attacks and were unable to register for their matric examinations could receive assistance to return and sit for the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Coordinating Committee (ZEPCC) has approached South Africa’s Department of Basic Education with a proposal to assist affected learners ahead of the examinations, which are due to begin in October.

However, the department said the proposal was still in draft form and had not yet received final approval.

Lukhanyo Vangqa, spokesperson for the Minister of Basic Education, said the department was working through the necessary processes after being approached by the ZEPCC.

“The plan is still in its draft phase now, and … we hope to finalise it soon,” Vangqa said.

He said the proposal would have to go through several processes, including consideration by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Immigration and consultation with Umalusi before the Minister of Basic Education makes a final decision.

Vangqa said learners did not necessarily need South African identification documents to sit for the NSC examinations.

He said those without identification documents could use an affidavit, while learners who had attended a school for more than a year could have their teachers attest to their identity or confirm that they knew them.

He said the identification requirements were intended to prevent fraud rather than exclude learners from sitting for examinations.

Affected pupils who return to South Africa would, however, have to write their examinations at an accredited examination centre.

Vangqa said the location would depend on each learner’s circumstances but confirmed that NSC examinations could not be written at a centre outside South Africa.

The number of affected learners is also not yet clear.

Vangqa said the ZEPCC had put the number at about 149 when the department last checked, but the figure continued to change as individual cases emerged.

With the first NSC examination scheduled for 13 October, there is limited time to finalise arrangements for the affected learners.

Vangqa said officials were working late into the night to move the process forward.

More: EWN