SiSwati Home Language (HL) Grade 12 Exam Guidelines and Scope for 2026: To achieve top marks in SiSwati Home Language (HL) for the 2026 academic year, learners must master high-level language proficiency, literary analysis, and creative expression. While the official 2026 Department of Basic Education (DBE) examination timetable is yet to be released, these Exam Guidelines provide the definitive scope for your revision.
The SiSwati HL curriculum is designed to assess your ability to interpret complex texts, evaluate prescribed literature, and produce high-quality transactional and creative writing.
Download SiSwati HL Grade 12 Exam Guidelines (PDF)
Access the official guidelines and literature support to align your studies with the 2026 requirements:
- Download Home Languages Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (SiSwati HL)
- Download Mind the Gap: SiSwati HL Literature (Lalela Ngwane)
For more resources, visit the My Courses homepage or explore the Grade 12 Study Resources hub for past papers and memos.
Paper 1: Language in Context
Duration: 2 Hours | Total Marks: 80
Paper 1 tests your ability to interpret information and apply grammatical rules accurately within a given context.
- Section A: Comprehension (30 Marks) – Analyzing a written prose text and a visual text (such as an advertisement or cartoon).
- Section B: Summary (10 Marks) – Summarizing a text into seven core points (approx. 90 words).
- Section C: Language Structures (40 Marks) – Contextual testing of vocabulary, grammar (e.g., emabito, tikunyu, tinongo tenkhulumo), and critical language awareness.
Instruction Tip: Always start each section on a new page and leave a line after each answer to ensure your paper is neat for markers.
Paper 2: Literature
Duration: 2½ Hours | Total Marks: 80
This paper requires an in-depth understanding of your prescribed SiSwati texts. You must answer questions from three genres: Poetry, Novel, and Drama.
- Section A: Poetry (30 Marks) – Contextual and essay questions based on the prescribed anthology, Lalela Ngwane (by MA Nzima & MF Shongwe).
- Section B: Novel (25 Marks) – A choice between a literary essay or contextual questions on the prescribed book, Tibopho Telutsandvo (by JJ Ncongwane).
- Section C: Drama (25 Marks) – A choice between a literary essay or contextual questions on the prescribed plays, such as Kutawuba Njalo or Lami Lisiphetfo.
Key Literary Elements to Study: | Element | Focus Areas | | :— | :— | | Ingcikitsi (Theme) | The central message or moral of the work. | | Umoya (Tone/Mood) | The atmosphere or emotion conveyed by the author. | | Ludvweshu (Conflict) | Internal and external struggles between characters. | | Sakhiwo (Structure) | Plot development from exposition to climax and resolution. |
Paper 3: Writing
Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 100
Paper 3 is your opportunity to demonstrate your creative and professional writing skills in SiSwati.
- Section A: Essay (50 Marks) – Write one essay (400–450 words) from a choice of creative, descriptive, or discursive topics.
- Section B: Longer Transactional Writing (30 Marks) – Formal/informal letters, speeches, or articles (180–200 words).
- Section C: Shorter Transactional Writing (20 Marks) – Diary entries, advertisements, or invitations (100–120 words).
Conclusion: Strategy for 2026 Success
The SiSwati Home Language Grade 12 Exam Guidelines for 2026 emphasize that success comes from more than just memorization. For Paper 1, practice reading diverse SiSwati texts to build vocabulary. For Paper 2, ensure you can justify your answers using specific evidence from the text. For Paper 3, focus on your “Vuvulavuri” (expression) and “Ma-nghenelo” (introductions) to grab the marker’s attention.
Stay updated on the 2026 matric calendar and find the latest study guides by visiting My Courses.
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