Matric top achievers honoured for resilience ahead of 2025 results

South Africa’s top matric achievers of 2025 were honoured at a ministerial breakfast in Randburg on Monday, with the Department of Basic Education describing the event as a recognition of resilience, perseverance and excellence — particularly among learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The breakfast, held just hours before the official release of the National Senior Certificate results, brought together top-performing learners from across the country, many visiting Gauteng for the first time.

Basic Education spokesperson, Terrence Khala, said the gathering marked a moment of reflection for learners who had spent more than a decade in the schooling system, often under challenging circumstances. He highlighted that many top achievers come from humble backgrounds, underscoring the critical role of family support, schools, and the broader education system in helping learners succeed against the odds.

Khala added that the department was recognising excellence across Quintile 1 to Quintile 5 schools, including learners with special needs and those from child-headed households, reflecting the diversity of academic achievement nationwide.

Addressing the learners, Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, said South Africa’s top matric achievers reflect the discipline, resilience and excellence needed to secure the country’s future. She emphasised that true excellence lies is not only in reaching the top, but about the daily discipline to keep striving, even when the journey is difficult.

The minister also paid tribute to parents and teachers, describing them as the quiet architects behind learners’ success and the backbone of the country’s education system.

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, echoed the minister’s sentiments, describing the achievers as among the best South Africa has to offer. He warned that without sustained investment in education, the country risks falling behind globally.

Lesufi also stressed that skills development, innovation, and technology — including artificial intelligence — must be prioritised to prepare learners for a rapidly changing world.

While the event was celebratory, several learners shared stories of hardship that nearly derailed their academic journeys.

Sesona Masingili from Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape said he often studied in darkness due to a lack of electricity and running water in his village.

Takunda Muchuweni from the Western Cape, who uses a wheelchair and lives with muscular dystrophy, said preparing for and writing exams was physically demanding due to ongoing health complications.

Parents and guardians also joined in the celebrations, reflecting on years of sacrifice and perseverance. Mavis Mkhabela, the grandmother of Samkelo Mthimkhulu from Ubuhlebuzile Secondary School in Mpumalanga, said her grandson’s achievement had not only made her proud but had broadened her perspective beyond their community.

As the country awaits the official release of results later on Monday, Minister Gwarube urged learners who did not achieve the results they hoped for not to see this as the end of the road. She highlighted second-chance pathways such as supplementary exams, TVET colleges, and skills-based programmes, emphasising that the matric certificate is not the only measure of success.

Meanwhile, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has announced an overall pass rate of 98.3%, with just over 89% of candidates qualifying for degree study — a slight decrease from last year. More than 17,000 candidates wrote the IEB exams, with Gauteng recording the highest participation from 114 schools, while the Northern Cape had the lowest, with just three schools.

At the NSC Class of 2025 Top Achievers’ Breakfast, the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube delivers an inspiring address that celebrates excellence, perseverance, and the value of the journey toward success. Speaking to learners, parents, teachers, and partners, the… pic.twitter.com/45qxw6hTXb

— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 12, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe