Media Statement

The African National Congress congratulates the Matric Class of 2025 following the release of the National Senior Certificate results, which reflect a historic national pass rate of 88%, the highest in South Africa’s democratic history. This achievement surpasses the 87.3% recorded in 2024 and confirms a steady upward trajectory in the performance of the public education system.

This milestone is a testament to the resilience, discipline, and determination of the largest cohort to ever sit for the NSC examinations, with over 900,000 candidates writing in 2025. Of particular significance is the achievement of 345,000 bachelor passes, an increase of more than 8,000 from the previous year, underscoring a continued improvement in the quality of outcomes that open pathways to higher education and future leadership.

Provincial performance across the country demonstrates collective progress. KwaZulu-Natal leads with an outstanding 90.6% pass rate, followed by the Free State at 89.33% and Gauteng at 89.06%. Strong performances were also recorded in North West (88.49%), Western Cape (88.2%), Northern Cape (87.79%), Mpumalanga (86.55%), Limpopo (86.15%), and the Eastern Cape (84.17%). Notably, every district in the country achieved a pass rate above 80%, reflecting systemic improvement across all provinces.

These outcomes are the result of the collective effort of educators, parents, school governing bodies, education workers and communities who continue to carry the responsibility of nation building under difficult conditions. They affirm the effectiveness of curriculum recovery interventions and the commitment of the ANC-led government to restoring learning, strengthening teaching, and expanding access to quality education, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities.

While we celebrate excellence, the ANC also extends encouragement to learners who did not achieve the results they had hoped for. These outcomes do not define your future. Multiple pathways remain available, including bridging programmes, the Second Chance Matric Programme, technical and vocational education and training, learnerships, and opportunities to rewrite matric as part of a broader system of lifelong learning.

Learners are advised that universities and institutions of higher learning will communicate admission outcomes and registration processes through official online platforms. In light of the large volumesinvolved, physical enquiries are discouraged to avoid overcrowding and unnecessary administrative strain.

Young people are further encouraged to explore the full basket of post-school opportunities, including service through the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service, as well as government supported programmes such as Funza Lushaka, nursing training, and other priority skills development initiatives.

Learners may access their individual results from 06h00 on 13 January 2026 through their schools or approved official platforms.

The ANC reaffirms its conviction that education remains the cornerstone of nation building and social progress. There is hope beyond every setback. The doors of learning remain open, and the task before us is to ensure that every young person is supported to walk through them with purpose, resilience, and confidence.

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