Avatar photo

By Cheryl Kahla

Content Strategist


Here’s how to find your 2021 matric results

Worrying about how to access your 2021 matric results is the last thing you need after an already stressful year. We've made it easy – here's how.


In just a few hours, the matric class of 2021 will receive their exam results. It was a tough year and we came up with a solution to find your 2021 matric results as easily as possible.

Because let’s be real, the last thing you need after surviving 2021 is additional stress about figuring out to access your results.

How to your find 2021 matric results online or in the newspaper

The marking process was handled by the Department of Basic Education (DBE)’s 193 marking centres and 41,000 examination markers between 8 and 22 December 2021.

Next, IEB matric results will be released on 19 January. The outcome of the 2021 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations will be announced by the Minister of Basic Education on 20 January.

This includes information about the pass rate of South Africa’s nine provinces. Then on 21 January, provinces will be authorised to release their results.

From 19 January you’ll be able to access matric results, and all you’ll need to do is get your examination number ready and head over to The Citizen’s IEB matric portal.

You can also simply buy a copy of your favourite paper to check your results. Remember, though, there is likely to be a high demand and sometimes papers sell out as soon as they’re off the press – that’s usually at midnight.

If you prefer to wait, you can also visit your school and collect your 2021 matric results from there.

The same steps apply for students who attended private schools which are part of the IEB (Independent Examinations Board).

Matric results controversy

POPIA infringement

The Department of Basic Education initially announced that no matric results will appear on any public platforms this year due to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said this meant the rights of privacy when it came to the collection, retention, dissemination, and use of personal information of students had to be adhered to and respected. 

“In order to comply with the provisions of the POPIA, the usual practice of publishing the national senior certificate (NSC) results on public platforms (media platforms) will not occur for 2021.”


Find your 2021 matric results here.


AfriForum wins court case

However, the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday ruled in favour of AfriForum and ordered the Department of Education to publish matric results in newspapers.

“[Education Minister, Angie Motshekga] is ordered to publish the National Senior Certificate [NSC] results on public platforms as was the practice in previous years, concurrently with making available the results to the schools that had been attended by the [pupils],” the judgement read.

The department was also ordered to pay the costs of AfriForum and two other parties involved in the case.

ALSO READ: Matric: Pressure mounts on DBE to end 30% pass mark


All factual material contained on this site and/or page has been published as provided by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Independent Examinations Board (IEB). The Citizen disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of any information provided or referred to herein, or for any omissions therein. Candidates’ results may be omitted because of technical reasons and any queries should be directed to the relevant school or (provincial) education department.

IEB results made available via this platform relate to learners who have consented to having their results published. DBE results have been provided by the department pursuant to the 2022/01/18 order made by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division (Pretoria) in case 1652/2022. Persons who make use of this platform to access examination results confirm that they do so lawfully as per the Protection of Personal Information Act.

These results are preliminary results and therefore, in the case of omissions, candidates must contact the school. Bursaries are available from NSFAS for any course of study. Contact NSFAS on 08600 NSFAS (0860067327), e-mail 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.

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.