The Matric Class of 2025 has achieved a historic 88% National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate – the highest in South Africa’s history – marking a significant milestone for the basic education sector.
The national pass rate represents an increase of approximately 0.7 percentage points from 2024 and was met with resounding applause when announced by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, during the official release of the results on Monday evening, at Mosaïek Church, in Fairlands.
More than 900 000 full time and part time candidates wrote the matric examinations at approximately 6 000 centres across the country, making it the largest cohort to sit for the NSC exams. Of these, over 656 000 learners successfully passed.
Congratulating the Class of 2025, the Minister acknowledged their resilience and determination.
“To the Class of 2025, I say: congratulations on a record-breaking 88% pass rate. Siyazingca ngani. Nisebenzile. You have shown resilience – not only in these examinations, but across years of learning in a country that has asked much of you. South Africa sees you.
“And to the learners of our no-fee schools: you have shown the country what is possible. You have proven that talent lives everywhere and that when we strengthen the roots, hope becomes an outcome, not a slogan,” Gwarube said.
Addressing educators, learners, parents and stakeholders, Gwarube confirmed that the results had been quality-assured and approved by Umalusi, affirming the credibility and integrity of the examination process.
“We can have confidence: these results are earned, not gifted. South Africans, we must also put a stubborn myth to rest: 30% is not ‘the matric pass mark’.
“The NSC is earned by meeting minimum requirements across a full subject package – including higher thresholds in key subjects, with different pass types that open different pathways after school,” the Minister said.
She extended her gratitude to the entire education sector for their contribution to attaining this year’s pass rate.
“To every Premier, every MEC, every Head of Department, every district director, every principal, and every teacher: these outcomes are built day by day, term by term, year by year – and we honour the work behind them,” she said.
Provincial performance
KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the best performing province in the country, achieving a pass rate of 90.6%, followed closely by the Free State at 89.33% and Gauteng at 89.06%.
Northern Cape was the most improved province with 87.79% in sixth place.
For the first time, all 75 school districts across the country recorded pass rates of 80% and above, pointing to more evenly spread performance across provinces.
