Negative emotions such as mathematics anxiety (MA) may lead to the avoidance of mathematics, which can have dire consequences for future career-related decisions. This paper compared Grade 10 learners' levels of trait-MA with perceived MA according to the type of school and gender. Both quantitative and qualitative data through a survey conducted with 427 Grade 10 mathematics learners from seven schools were collected. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed, while qualitative data were inductively coded and categorised. Participants from an independent school reported higher levels of trait-MA than those from the other types of schools. Female participants experienced higher levels of trait-MA than their male counterparts. More participants reported perceived MA as opposed to those who measured high levels of trait-MA. MA was viewed as a negative emotional response to activities and situations related to mathematics with a wide range of causes and consequences. This study provides valuable insight for the development of an instrument to measure perceived MA.