The Media and Publicity Secretary of the IFP Youth Brigade, Miss Linda Hlongwa, congratulated all the matriculants who have passed their exams and commended the committed teachers and supportive parents who have made it possible for learners to attain these results.

However, she expressed the Youth Brigade's disappointment with regard to the drop in the pass rate this year as compared to last year. She said,

"The Youth Brigade believes there is a greater need to improve the education system as shown in the high pass rate in private schools as opposed to government schools and also the drop in the pass rate this year."

"This year's results show that our learners from rural areas are not yet subject to an enabling environment therefore still leaving them disadvantaged. We invite government to facilitate improving teachers and providing resources to achieve competency and ability."

"The Youth Brigade believes that education is a fundamental tool of development in any disadvantaged community and hence we wish to make a call on behalf of all matriculants that government make substantial provision for them to further their studies in tertiary institutions."

"We further note that most of our young people who have passed matric are still going to suffer from unemployment and poverty as there is an increasing failure by the Umsobomvu Youth Fund to provide for youth development programmes."