The longstanding tradition of South African matriculants eagerly searching for their names in the newspaper following their final exams is officially over for 2024. The Information Regulator of South Africa has ruled that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) can no longer publish matric results in newspapers—a decision that has sparked a fierce debate across the nation.
At the heart of the decision is the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which the Information Regulator argues the DBE has been violating. According to the Regulator, the department failed to obtain consent from students or their guardians before publishing their results in the media. The results, which often appear alongside a student’s exam number, are now seen as a potential violation of privacy, especially without explicit approval.
“The DBE must develop a system to obtain the consent of learners or their guardians before publishing matric results in newspapers,” said Nomzamo Zondi, spokesperson for the Information Regulator.
In response, civil rights group AfriForum has vowed to challenge the ruling. The group contends that publishing results by exam number doesn’t infringe on privacy rights and does not require parental consent. AfriForum’s legal team is preparing to take the matter to court, with the belief that this tradition should be preserved in the face of rising concerns over privacy laws.
But opinions on this decision are sharply divided. For some, the end of this public tradition marks a necessary shift towards safeguarding personal data in an increasingly privacy-conscious society. For others, it feels like a step too far, a loss of something deeply embedded in the South African cultural fabric.
On social media, the reactions are flowing fast and furious. Some argue that publishing exam results, even by number, represents a needless invasion of privacy, with one user, @UnderpantsAnton, remarking, “It’s just an exam number. What absolute kak is this?” Meanwhile, others, like @antony_skapura, believe the practice might actually have harmful psychological effects, saying, “It creates unnecessary pressure on young people, and tragically, some have taken their own lives because of it.”
But for many, the ban feels more like a puzzling overreach. @DirkGnodde was quick to voice his frustration: “What a lot of rubbish. The results have been published for years and years, now all of a sudden, it’s illegal.”
While the legalities of the matter are debated, some are also questioning the psychological impact of this practice. A growing number of voices argue that the public publishing of matric results—especially when linked to an individual’s exam number—adds unnecessary pressure on students who are already facing a challenging transition into adulthood.
“It’s time to scrap this harmful tradition,” added @antony_skapura, echoing a sentiment shared by others who feel that the stress associated with public exam results could be avoided with a more private, secure system. For many, the risks of stigmatization or embarrassment outweigh the benefits of public recognition.
However, not everyone is in favor of removing the tradition. Antoinette Van Lill Meyer shared a counterpoint, suggesting that the public display of results is important for motivating young people. “Please spare these little ones the insult of everyone seeing their results. They won’t make it. Sadly, they are just too insecure for the real world. Hope they can man up for a job interview,” Meyer commented, underlining the belief that exposure to public scrutiny can, in some cases, help prepare students for the challenges of adult life.
As the legal battle between AfriForum and the Information Regulator unfolds, the broader question of privacy versus public interest will continue to captivate South Africans. While some argue that privacy laws must evolve to protect individual rights, others see this decision as an unnecessary restriction on a beloved tradition.
With the country split over the issue, one thing is clear: this controversy is far from over. Whether the courts will side with the Information Regulator or the Department of Basic Education remains to be seen—but for now, the iconic newspaper listings will be conspicuously absent this December.
