South Africa’s 2024 Matric Results Series — the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has announced a milestone achievement for the Class of 2024, achieving an extraordinary 98.47% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations — the highest in five years.
Of these successful candidates, an impressive 89.37% qualified for a degree study, setting a new benchmark for academic excellence across private schools in South Africa.
More than 16,000 students from 275 venues nationwide wrote this year’s exams, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a commitment to excellence despite the challenges of recent years. (Note, the 2024 NIC matric results will be announced since a separate event on the evening of Monday,, January 13).
This year’s results showcase the extraordinary achievements of IEB candidates as highlighted below:
- 16,304 candidates wrote the exams, including 14,990 full-time and 1,314 part-time students.
- A total of 149 candidates ranked in the top 5% across six or more subjects, earning distinctions in Life Orientation. Notable performances came from schools such as Midstream College (Gauteng), St David’s Marist Inanda (Sandton), Somerset College (Western Cape), and King David High Linksfield (Johannesburg).
- An additional 114 candidates excelled in five subjects, achieving distinctions in Life Orientation.
IEB CEO Confidence Dikgole applauded the Class of 2024 for their ability to overcome adversity, particularly disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “In Grade 8, amidst the severe lockdown of 2020, they encountered disruptions to foundational learning, adapted to new modes of education, and navigated the psychological impacts of uncertainty and isolation. Their ability to overcome these obstacles highlights their determination and commitment, making their achievements in the 2024 NSC examinations even more commendable,” she said.
Furthermore, Dikgole addressed the negative influence of technology on students’ academic journeys. “Research suggests that smartphones may contribute to mental health issues and affect the ability of young people to focus on their studies, leading to shorter attention spans. Some schools have started limiting their use during school hours,” she said.
photo by Happy Modise during the Announcement of the 22024 matric results
yesterday night