Message from President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Matric Class of 2026 at the Free State NSC Pledge-signing ceremony, Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Centre, Qwaqwa

Programme Director,
Premier of the Free State, Ms Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae,
Free State MEC for Education, Dr Mantlhake Julia Maboya,
Executive Mayor of the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, Cllr Tumelo Thebe,
Executive Mayor of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Cllr Conny Msibi,
Representatives of the provincial Department of Basic Education,
Representatives of the School Governing Bodies District Council,
And most importantly, our learners here in the Free State and across the country. 

Dumelang. Goeie môre. Molweni. Good morning. Sanibonani. Avuxeni. Ndi Matsheloni. Lotjhani. 

I greet you all. 

It is a great pleasure to be here and to join our matriculants as they prepare to embark on one of the most important journeys in their lives. 

Writing your National Senior Certificate exams in the coming weeks is a milestone in what has been many years of perseverance and hard work in preparation. 

It has also been many years of sacrifice. 

For you, giving up some of your leisure time, chilling with your friends and other activities for the sake of your studies. 

For your families, who have provided guidance, moral support and the love and patience you needed to ensure you had the best chances of success. 

It has been a sacrifice for your teachers, your after-school tutors and all who put in the hours to prepare you academically. 

Today, and every other day, we salute our country’s educators whose commitment and dedication to our learners often extend long after lessons have ended. 

Teachers often forgo time with their own families to be with their students.

We recognise the particular challenges for learners from poor communities and disadvantaged households who nevertheless excel in the NSC exam.

We are pleased to have seen a steady improvement in the performance of learners from no-fee schools in both townships and rural areas.

The success of these learners is testament both to the personal dedication and to the progress we are making to build an education system where everyone has an equal chance. 

No worthwhile goal can be achieved without sacrifice. 

Without persistence. 

Without discipline. 

You have invested time and effort.

The upcoming exams are your chance to reap the rewards of that investment. 

With your certificate in hand, with what you have learned and with how you have developed yourself, you will have the means to achieve your dreams. 

The expectations of the Free State Class of 2026 are particularly high. 

In 2024, the Free State achieved the highest matric pass rate in the country for the third consecutive year.

But last year, KwaZulu-Natal broke that winning streak.

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. 

Earlier, you took part in a ceremony where you pledged to do your best, to support your peers and to uphold the principles of honesty and integrity. 

Similar pledge-signing ceremonies are taking place in other parts of the country. 

To the Class of 2026 we say, we know that you can be held to your word. 

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.

You dare not risk all you have set out to achieve. 

Believe in yourselves, for we believe in you. 

The nation stands behind you. 

We are proud of you for having reached this milestone.

And we wish you every success. 

I thank you.