This page includes Setswana SAL Grade 12 past papers and memos.
Setswana SAL Grade 12 exam question paper follows FAL in terms of difficulty level. It is easier than the First Additional Language. This is the easiest Setswana question paper in matric.
The topics and structure are similar to other Setswana question papers. Have a look at the exam structure and topics here
Exam facts from the DBE November 2025 question papers. See the full exam guide.
Setswana SAL Grade 12 Papers
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2027
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2026
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2025
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2024
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2023
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2022
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2021
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2020
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Setswana SAL Grade 12 Exam Guide
How the final Setswana SAL exam is set out, taken from the cover and instruction pages of the DBE November 2025 question papers.
Setswana SAL Paper 1
- 80 marks
- 2 hours
- 11 pages
- November 2025
| Section | What it covers | Marks | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Comprehension (Tekatlhaloganyo) | 30 | 45 min |
| B | Summary (Tshobokanyo) | 10 | 20 min |
| C | Language Structures and Conventions (Dipopego tsa puo le melawana ya tiriso) | 40 | 55 min |
Instructions on the paper
- Answer ALL the questions.
- Start EACH section on a NEW page.
- Draw a line after EACH section.
- Number the answers as in the question paper.
- Leave a line between your answers.
- Pay attention to spelling and sentence construction.
- Write neatly and legibly.
Setswana SAL Paper 2
- 40 marks
- 1½ hours
- 16 pages
- November 2025
| Section | What it covers | Marks | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Novel (Padi)Question 1 | 40 | 90 min |
| B | Short Stories (Dikgangkhutswe)Answer question 2 OR 3 | 40 | 90 min |
Answer ONE question from Section A OR B, on the book you read (suggested 2 x 45 minutes)
Instructions on the paper
- Answer ONE question ONLY, on the book you have read.
- Start EACH section on a NEW page.
- Draw a line after answering a question.
- Number the answers as in the question paper.
- Leave a line after EACH answer.
- Pay attention to spelling and sentence construction.
- Write neatly and legibly.
Setswana SAL Paper 3
- 80 marks
- 2½ hours
- 8 pages
- November 2025
| Section | What it covers | Marks | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Essay (Tlhamo)Answer ONE question | 40 | 75 min |
| B | Longer and Shorter Transactional and Multimodal Texts (Ditlhangwa tse dileele tsa tirisano le ditlhangwa tse dikhutshwane tsa tirisano gammogo le ditlhangwa tse di dirisang mekgwa e e farologaneng ya tlhaeletsano)Answer ONE question | 20 | 38 min |
| C | Shorter Transactional/Referential/Informational/Visual and Multimodal Texts (Ditlhangwa tse dikhutshwane tsa tirisano/tshupetso/tshedimosetso/pono gammogo le ditlhangwa tse di dirisang mekgwa e e farologaneng ya tlhaeletsano)Answer ONE question | 20 | 37 min |
Answer ONE question in each section
Instructions on the paper
- Answer ONE question from EACH section.
- Write in the language you are being examined in.
- Start EACH section on a NEW page.
- Make a plan, read and correct it; the plan must appear BEFORE each text; draw a line through the draft.
- Essay: 200-250 words.
- Give EACH answer a suitable title; the title is not counted in the word count.
- Write neatly and legibly.
Setswana SAL Grade 12 Questions and Answers
How many papers do you write for Setswana SAL in Grade 12?
3 papers: Paper 1 (80 marks, 2 hours), Paper 2 (40 marks, 1½ hours) and Paper 3 (80 marks, 2½ hours). These facts are from the DBE November 2025 question papers.
What is in Setswana SAL Paper 1?
In the November 2025 paper: Section A: Comprehension (30 marks); Section B: Summary (10 marks); Section C: Language Structures and Conventions (40 marks).
What is in Setswana SAL Paper 2?
In the November 2025 paper: Section A: Novel (40 marks); Section B: Short Stories (40 marks). Answer ONE question from Section A OR B, on the book you read (suggested 2 x 45 minutes).
What is in Setswana SAL Paper 3?
In the November 2025 paper: Section A: Essay (40 marks); Section B: Longer and Shorter Transactional and Multimodal Texts (20 marks); Section C: Shorter Transactional/Referential/Informational/Visual and Multimodal Texts (20 marks). Answer ONE question in each section.
How long is the Setswana SAL question paper?
In November 2025, Paper 1 had 11 pages, Paper 2 had 16 pages and Paper 3 had 8 pages.
Which Setswana SAL past papers are on this page?
13 files from 2025 to 2025, covering the June and November exams. They are listed by year and term above, and each one opens as a PDF.
Are the Setswana SAL memos included?
Yes. 3 of the files are memos (marking guidelines). Each memo is listed next to its question paper.