I invited a special guest to this occasion and outstanding learner and the pride of this country. She is Johannah Mashego, an outstanding 16-year-old Grade 10 learner from Kopanang Secondary School in the Nkangala District at Emalahleni Local Municipality. Shas made our province proud by being crowned the Best Orator in the Country.

This accolade was bestowed upon her by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in recognition of her exceptional talent, confidence, and eloquence. I invited Johannah for two important reasons. Firstly, I wanted to personally congratulate her on this outstanding achievement. Secondly, I wanted her to represent and bring best wishes to you, the Class of 2025, on behalf of the 1.2 million learners of our province. Her success is a shining example of what hard work, focus, and belief in oneself can achieve.She reminds us that greatness knows no age, and that every young person has the power to rise and inspire others.

At this point, allow me to pause my speech and invite Johannah to greet you and share her message of encouragement. Pause Congratulations, my daughter you are a shining example of good learner, a pillar of hope and inspiration to all of us in the Place of the Rising Sun. Programme Director, the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC), which begins on 21 October 2025 just four days from today. This pledge is a promise to yourself, your teachers, your parents, and you’re your Province – the Place of the Rising Sun.

We are here in our numbers to urge you to uphold honesty, discipline, purpose and dignity throughout this important journey. Please speak to your conscious and say to your good selves:“I will do what is right, even when no one is watching.”The Department together with your teachers have worked tirelessly throughout the years to ensure that you are well prepared. We are proud to announce that a total of 69 980 learners across 583 examination centres in Mpumalanga Province are ready to administer a credible, incident-free examination. Mpumalanga Province has maintained a spotless record for 14 consecutive years without a single question paper leakage. The South African Police Service (SAPS ) are working side by side with the Department to ensure that anyone who transgress is dealt with in accordance to the law. To the Class of 2025, this is your defining moment. You have worked hard, shown resilience, and overcome challenges and now, it is your time to shine. Today’s Pledge of Good Conduct is your public declaration that you will write your examinations with honesty, respect, and discipline. Remember that cheating, dishonesty, or any form of irregularity does not only damage your reputation, it undermines the credibility of the entire examination and betrays the trust your teachers and parents have placed in you. Be honest, Be focused, Be proud of your hard work.

Let your success be the result of your effort, not shortcuts. As you prepare for the final stretch, I urge you to stay calm and confident. Manage your time wisely during each exam. Read carefully and answer thoughtfully. Believe in yourself, because we already believe in you. You are not just writing for yourself; you carry the hopes and dreams of your families, your schools, and your communities. We have faith that you will rise above challenges and make Mpumalanga – the Place of Rising Sun proud. Yesterday, we had a successful Provincial Prayer Session in Secunda to seek divine guidance for all our learners as they begin their final examinations.

We thank parents, communities, and faith-based organisations for walking this journey with us. Let us continue to support our learners with love, understanding, and encouragement. To the Class of 2025, go out there and make history, give us a 100% pass rate this time around. Alternatively, we may be comfortable to settle for a 90% pass rate. We know that you will deliver results that reflect your hard work and dedication. We wish you all the very best in your final examinations. May your results open doors to a future filled with opportunity, growth, and success.