{
  "id": 14160634,
  "title": "Free State matriculants tackle first NSC exam paper",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/free-state-matriculants-tackle-first-nsc-exam-paper",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T08:40:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/free-state-matriculants-tackle-first-nsc-exam-paper/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More than 3,000 matriculants in the Free State are preparing to write their first National Senior Certificate exam, the Computer Applications Technology paper, as the 2026 NSC examinations commence. The province's Education MEC, Dr Mamiki Maboya, is overseeing the start of the examinations at Brebner Secondary School in Bloemfontein. Dr Maboya expressed confidence that the Free State is fully equipped to conduct and administer the matric examinations, with a goal of achieving a 95% pass rate. A total of 41,000 full-time candidates have registered to take part in the 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations. Zintle Maselwa, a matriculant, admitted to feeling nervous as the culmination of 12 years of hard work but remains determined to overcome her anxiety and achieve good results. She emphasized that a month's time should not deter her, stating, \"I can do it.\"",
  "summary": "Free State Education MEC Dr Mamiki Maboya is monitoring the commencement of the examinations",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}