Urgent application publication of matric results to be heard in court

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An urgent application by the Information Regulator (IR) to obtain an interdict against the public release of the 2024 matric results will be heard in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday, 7 January after 10:00.

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AfriForum, along with other parties including Maroela Media, was added as interested parties to the case by the IR.

With this application, the IR is attempting to prevent the Department of Basic Education (DBE) from releasing the matric results in public media, as it maintains that this will be a violation of matriculants’ right to privacy.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, AfriForum and other parties succeeded in a case on the same issue in 2022.

The judge ruled in favour of AfriForum that the release of matric results is in the public interest and that the use of examination numbers instead of the matriculants’ names provides sufficient protection for their privacy.

An order was then issued that the results had to be published.

This order is still valid, and the DBE therefore argues that it has no other choice but to oppose the IR’s instruction to withhold publication of the results.

The case where the merits of the withholding or publication of the results will be decided will follow later in the year, but at present the urgent application is necessary in order to clarify whether the results may be published in newspapers and on other public platforms next week, or not.

Highly anticipated

The release of the 2024 matric results is now a week away.

It’s a highly anticipated occasion for South African students as it marks the conclusion – hopefully – of their high school journey.

It’s also an important milestone that students, parents, and teachers eagerly await, as the results play a key role in deciding future education and career paths.

The results will influence future education and career choices, opening doors to new opportunities and help students plan their next steps with confidence.

As the Department of Basic Education (DBE) gets ready to announce the 2024 results, everyone involved is looking forward to the outcome – with fingers crossed.

Release date

The DBE has announced that the matric result release date is Monday, 13 January 2025.

This decision aligns with the start of the 2025 academic year, scheduled for Wednesday, 15 January 2025.

Here’s a detailed timeline:

Monday, 13 January 2025: The Department of Basic Education will announce the results nationally
Tuesday, 14 January 2025: Individual matric results will be available at schools and online via official DBE platforms

NOTE: The time the results will be available may differ from province to province as well as online vs at schools.

Step-by-step guide to getting your matric results on your PHONE

Why queue when you can get your results from the comfort of your home – or your holiday destination?

Get your exam number and cellphone

You need your exam number to gain access to your matric results.

SMS or use the USSD code

Register by SMSing your exam number to 35658, after which you will receive reminders and USSD instructions to follow to gain access to your results on Tuesday, 14 January.

*SMSes are charged at R1.50 each. Free SMSes do not apply.

Alternatively, dial the USSD code *120*35658#.

You will then receive further instructions to gain access to your results on Tuesday, 14 January.�

*USSD charged at 50c per 20 seconds. Free minutes do not apply.

If you require further assistance, call 0800 202 933 for help.

NOTE: You may submit your exam number via one cellphone number only to receive your results via this service, as per the Department of Education’s guidelines.

This service applies only to the Department of Education’s National Senior Certificate examinations and not to Independent Examinations Board exams.

ALSO NOTE: Those who submit their personal information via the delivery methods mentioned above give consent for their personal information to be processed to communicate their examination results. Any person who communicates personal information as per these clauses guarantees that they are legally authorised to do so.

The Department of Basic Education reiterates the following:

These results are preliminary and, therefore, in the case of omissions, candidates must contact the school, district or provincial education department.

Bursaries are available from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for any course of study. Contact NSFAS on 08600 NSFAS (08600 67327), email info@nsfas.org.za or visit www.nsfas.org.za

Although every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the results, note that candidates’ results may have been omitted or inaccurately printed due to technical reasons.