WATCH: What's a matric certificate worth in 2024?

FOR generations, young people have been told that education is the key to success.

But with a youth unemployment rate of 43,4%, the question arises as to whether a matric certificate is even worth the paper it's printed on.

When you see how successful people like hip-hop artist Cassper Nyovest and entrepreneur Justin Stanford have become rich without completing matric, it often discourages students from pursuing an education.

We took to the streets to ask South Africans what a matric certificate is worth in 2024 with a national pass rate of 80,1% in 2022.

Noluthando Xaba says Matric certificates are worth nothing and advice youngsters to concentrate on uplifting their skills to make a living: Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

While the past few years have been quite dismal, there seems to be a glimmer of hope beyond the horizon for the unemployed youth.

This comes after most labour markets are making way for new innovative professionals.

There's a glimmer of hope as the latest employment statistics show that 399 000 unemployed South Africans were added to the 16,7 million employed people in the last quarter of 2023.

ALSO READ: VOX POP: The mystery behind SASSA

Robin Simon and Devyn de Klerk think that having a matric certificate is valuable for the job market.

Simon said: "I was lucky enough to have at least a matric certificate, and I can say that it helps when looking for a job."

De Klerk said: "If you don’t have a matric certificate, no one will want to hire you."

Leezan Van Nel said: "In South Africa, a matric certificate is not that valuable because you hardly get a job with a matric certificate.”

Zakiyah Pandor, who said matric has no value. Photos MorapedI Mashashe

Pandor said: "I think the matric certificate is not worth much because matriculants struggle to get jobs like everyone else, have difficulty getting a job."

Job seekers camping near a warehouse in Randburg hoping to get piece jobs.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will announce the 2023 matric exams on Thursday, 18 January. Candidates will receive their results on Friday, 19 January.

Exam quality assurer Umalusi approved the release of the matric results but has raised concerns because cases of copying in groups were found in last year's exams. 

It involves 945 candidates, including 763 from KZN and 164 from Mpumalanga. These cases are yet to be resolved.

Has the value of matric certificates remained the same or can one secure better opportunities without it? Share your thoughts in the comment box below!