KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka says “this is only the beginning” after KZN emerged as the top-performing province in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.
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KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Education Sipho Hlomuka says the achievement as the top-performing province in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations is only the beginning, after it secured the number one spot for the first time with a 90.6% pass rate.
The historic achievement was announced on Monday night in Randburg, Johannesburg, where Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube released the national matric results.
The class of 2025 achieved a record-breaking national pass rate of 88%, surpassing the 2024 rate of 87.26%.
KZN led the provinces with 90.6%, followed by the Free State at 89.33%, Gauteng at 89.06%, North West at 88.49%, Western Cape at 88.2%, Northern Cape at 87.79%, Mpumalanga at 86.55%, Limpopo at 86.15% and the Eastern Cape at 84.17%.
The Free State, which had held the top position since 2019, slipped to second place.
Speaking to IOL News on the sidelines of the results announcement, Hlomuka praised educators, learners and parents for their role in the province’s success.
“We are very proud of them for the good work they have been doing,” he said.
“I must also appreciate the work done by unions and other stakeholders.”
He acknowledged the difficult conditions facing the province, including financial constraints.
“Everyone knows we have financial challenges, but with limited resources we have prioritised the future of our learners. We cannot spend money on things that are not important,” Hlomuka said.
The province continues to face serious challenges, including budget cuts, shortages of stationery and textbooks, and infrastructure damage.
Despite this, Hlomuka said preparations for the 2026 academic year are already underway.
“We have started our work. That is why last week I visited a number of schools, especially those that opened early, to engage and motivate them to prepare learners in advance,” he said.
He said that the success of the matric class was rooted in strong foundations at primary school level.
“This is an outcome of a proper foundation. Educators at primary level have done very well to prepare learners so that when they reach high school, they are ready. That is why we are celebrating the class of 2025,” he said.
Hlomuka described the results as “historic,” marking the first time the province has topped the matric rankings in the democratic era.
“History was made by being number one in democracy. Educators and learners have done very well, and we have put systems in place,” he said.
He added that the department had engaged schools that performed poorly in 2024 to improve outcomes.
“All stakeholders came together and said we must prioritise the future of our learners,” Hlomuka said.
He also praised parents, provincial government leaders and fellow MECs for their support.
“When we work, we work as a team,” he said.
Hlomuka, an ANC member, said the party had placed pressure on the department to deliver despite challenges.
“Even though there are financial challenges, we put the future of our learners first, and today we can see the results,” he said.
He said the province intends to retain its top position.
“We have put systems in place with a strong foundation. If you work with everyone and engage all stakeholders, we are certain that what we achieved today can be sustained in the coming years,” he said.
Announcing the results, Gwarube said the 88% national pass rate was the highest in South Africa’s history.
“The results tell a clear story. The basic education system is becoming more stable. Participation is improving, inclusion is expanding and integrity is holding firm,” she said.
However, she cautioned that long-term success depends on early education.
“Without strong foundations in the early years, inequity will always return later,” Gwarube said.
Meanwhile, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) announced an overall pass rate of 98.3% for the 2025 NSC examinations.
IOL News