Taxi and gang violence in parts of Cape Town disrupted travel for matric candidates as thousands sat down to write their National Senior Certificate (NSC) English examination.
The unrest hit areas including Delft, Khayelitsha and Nyanga, Cape Town Etc reported. It raised fears about the safety of learners and how they would reach their exam centres.
“Our candidates should be able to focus on their examinations without having to worry about whether they can get to their examination venue safely,” Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt said.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said it learned of the violence through its security networks. It then warned exam centres across the metro.
Londt said exam officials were told to watch closely as candidates arrived. Centres were asked to phone any candidates who had not shown up.
“Centres were asked to contact candidates who had not arrived and, where safety or transport challenges prevented them from reaching their registered centre, advise them to report to the nearest examination centre as an emergency alternative,” Londt said in a statement.
The department also allowed candidates who were held up by events outside their control to arrive up to an hour after the exam started. This meant they could still enter the venue and write.
According to Londt, all candidates who reached their contracted centres were able to write the paper.
“While we are relieved that these candidates were able to write, it is deeply unfortunate that they had to experience additional and unnecessary stress immediately before such an important examination,” he said.
Londt called for calm in the affected areas. He asked everyone involved to help keep the peace while the exams continue.
“Thousands of candidates are currently writing examinations that will have significant bearing on their futures, and they must be able to travel to and from their examination centres safely and without disruption,” he said.
He urged candidates to leave home earlier than usual where they can. This is especially important when there are reports of transport delays or disruptions, he said.
Candidates who cannot safely reach their registered exam centre should contact their school quickly, Londt said. They should explain their situation and any delay they expect.
The WCED thanked officials and school principals who acted fast to deal with the disruptions.
“Their response demonstrates the strength of our collective efforts to support our candidates and ensure that every reasonable step is taken to protect their opportunity to write their examinations,” Londt said.
The department said it will keep watching the situation closely to protect the safety of learners.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Cape Town ETC. Image: Cape Town ETC. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.