KwaZulu-Natal — In a landmark achievement for South Africa’s basic education sector, KwaZulu-Natal has been crowned the top-performing province in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
With a stellar pass rate of 90.60%, the province edged out fierce competition, including the Free State (89.33%) and Gauteng (89.06%), to claim the number one spot. This result, announced by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube as part of a record-breaking national pass rate of 88%, caps a year of ambitious planning and relentless execution by the province’s education authorities.
The victory is particularly sweet for KZN, which was the most improved province in 2024. It confirms a sustained upward trajectory and validates a bold, multi-faceted strategy implemented by Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka and his department. As analysts predicted, the province’s consistent momentum over the past decade has culminated in this national leadership position.
The Blueprint for Success: A 95% Vision
Long before the first exam paper was written, KZN’s leadership set an audacious goal. Building on the Class of 2024’s 89.5% pass rate, MEC Hlomuka unveiled a detailed academic improvement plan aimed at nothing less than 95%.
“We therefore developed a 2025 Academic Improvement Plan, aimed at improving our pass rate from 89.5% to a minimum of 95%, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100%,” Hlomuka stated unequivocally in October 2025.
“Our provincial vision remains clear: every learner who sits for the final examination must pass. We know that external factors sometimes make a 100% pass rate difficult, but we are determined not to fall below 95%. This would still represent significant growth from 2024.”
This vision was not merely aspirational. It was operationalised through district-specific improvement plans across all 12 education districts, ensuring a tailored approach to local challenges. The strategy hinged on intensive, targeted academic support.
Hybrid Learning and Unwavering Support
A cornerstone of KZN’s strategy was its innovative hybrid learning model. The province combined overnight winter camps, cluster walk-in centres, and school-based sessions to provide flexible, inclusive support. Over 4,380 pupils attended winter camps, followed by Spring Boot Camps, all focusing on curriculum coverage, revision with past papers, and mastering challenging subjects.
“There are extra classes that continue taking place after hours, on weekends,” MEC Hlomuka emphasised, highlighting the culture of supplementary learning. This extensive support network was praised by top achievers from previous years, like Owethu Shangase, who credited their success to strong teacher and community backing.
Crucially, the province also demonstrated remarkable success in learner retention. A 3% increase in registered matric candidates—totalling 195,899—signaled growing confidence in the public system and a reduction in drop-out rates. “This upward trend is a clear reflection of the department’s sustained efforts to improve learner retention… It also demonstrates the growing confidence of learners and parents in the public education system,” Hlomuka noted.
A National Context of Resilience and Reform
The provincial triumph was celebrated within a national context of both progress and sober reflection. Minister Siviwe Gwarube, in her comprehensive speech, framed the results around the theme of strengthening foundational learning.
“The 2025 results show us that excellence is spreading into communities that have carried the heaviest burdens,” Minister Gwarube said. “Our responsibility is to protect what is working and deepen it so that achievement becomes durable, and so that progress is not measured by who gets through, but by how well learners are prepared to thrive beyond the school gate.”
She acknowledged the systemic challenges, stating, “Many learners pursue this milestone under real strain – poverty and hunger, unsafe environments, long travel, language barriers, overcrowded classrooms and uneven resources.” Yet, she found hope in the outcomes, particularly from no-fee schools, which contributed significantly to the over 345,000 Bachelor passes achieved nationally.
The Minister also highlighted a critical national concern: “The boy child is increasingly being left behind, becoming underrepresented in Matric cohorts.” This, alongside needing to improve participation and performance in gateway subjects like Mathematics, forms part of the “next phase” of quality-focused reform.
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Districts Shine and Legacy of Excellence
KZN’s success was a collective effort, with districts like uMkhanyakude—the most improved district nationally in 2024—leading the charge. The province also continued its legacy of producing top individual achievers, echoing the excellence seen among South Africa’s top-performing private schools.
The story of the Class of 2025 is one of a system building on proven strategies, from the intensive marking process involving 7,889 markers to the robust exam security protocols.
While celebrating, education activists like Hendrick Makaneta urge a look beyond the pass rate. “Focusing on pass rates alone is not enough, we call on government to prioritise quality education, especially in early childhood development,” he cautioned, a sentiment echoed in Minister Gwarube’s focus on foundational learning.
As the country celebrates the #ClassOf2025, KwaZulu-Natal stands as a testament to what is possible with clear vision, detailed planning, and unwavering support for every learner. The province has not only reached the summit but has also laid down a strategic blueprint for sustainable excellence.
Here’s a concise version tailored for KZN learners while including the rest-of-South-Africa context:
KZN learners: How to access your 2025 matric results
KwaZulu-Natal learners can access their 2025 matric results from 6am on Tuesday, January 13 through the KZN Department of Education portal. Make sure you have your Exam Number and ID Number ready. You can also collect your official Statement of Results at your school or exam centre, which remains the most reliable method.
For the rest of the Matrics, a variety of platforms are available to check results:
- DBE National Results Portal – online access from 6am.
- Provincial portals, such as the Gauteng Results Portal for learners in other provinces.
- Mobile options – SMS your exam number to 35658 (R1.50 per SMS) or dial *120*35658# (50c per 20 seconds).
This ensures all matric learners, in KZN and nationwide, can quickly and securely access their results.
Further Reading: For insights into performance in the independent schooling sector, you can review the 2025 IEB overall performance.
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