The Western Cape Class of 2025 has delivered a record-breaking performance, achieving the highest matric pass rate and bachelor’s pass rate ever recorded in the province.

The province’s matric pass rate increased from last year’s 86.6% to 88.2% in 2025, the highest since the introduction of the National Senior Certificate. The National Matric pass rate is 88%.

The bachelor’s pass rate rose from 47.8% to 49.2%, the second highest in the country.

Among the standout achievers is Abigail Kok from York High School in George, who was named South Africa’s top matric candidate for 2025 and also the top Physical Science candidate nationally.

Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier shared his excitement:

“This is an incredible achievement, and the fifth year in a row that the top candidate in the country is from the Western Cape. Well done Abigail!”

 

In another major achievement, Takunda Muchuweni from Jan Kriel School in Kuils River was named the top Learner with Special Education Needs (LSEN) candidate in South Africa.

Learners in the province also achieved the second-highest distinction rate nationally, with 13,234 candidates earning a total of 31,220 distinctions.

The Western Cape topped the country in Mathematics with a pass rate of 73.7%, and recorded the second-highest Physical Science pass rate at 80.6%.

“Our candidates have once again shown that the Western Cape leads the way in key gateway subjects,” Maynier said. “We top the country in Mathematics and are second in Physical Science, which is critical for access to scarce skills and economic opportunities.”

Outstanding LSEN Results

Learners with Special Education Needs achieved a 91.9% matric pass rate, with the Western Cape also recording the second-highest LSEN bachelor’s pass rate in the country at 60.4%.

“Takunda Muchuweni being named the top LSEN candidate in South Africa is an incredible testament to his hard work. It also reflects the commitment of our special schools and educators.”

Highest Retention Rate in the Country

The Class of 2025 achieved these results with the highest retention rate in South Africa at 70%, also the best retention rate recorded by the province since 2021.

“This means we have more learners with the opportunity to pass their exams and finish school on schedule, so they can start their careers and further studies,” Maynier said.

Maynier congratulated the Class of 2025 for their dedication and resilience, describing them as “one of our hardest-working matric classes to date”.

“You can rightly celebrate your achievements,” he said. “Your dedication to your studies has set a wonderful example for future classes of matrics.”

He also thanked teachers for “working long hours to provide extra classes and individual support” and parents for “backing our candidates all the way and now getting to celebrate this milestone with their children”.

Message to the Class of 2026

Turning to the next cohort, Maynier encouraged the Class of 2026 to follow the example set by their predecessors.

“The baton now passes to you,” he said. “Every hour you spend on your schoolwork this year is a direct investment in your own future, and we look forward to celebrating your commitment with you next year.”

When and Where to Collect Results

Candidates can collect their results from their schools and on the WCED website from 10:00 on Tuesday, 13 January 2026:
https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/exams

South Africa has recorded its highest National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate in history, with 88% of candidates passing the 2025 matric exams, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced on Monday, 12 January 2026. Gwarube says the results reflect sustained growth in participation and improved outcomes across the schooling system.

Addressing the nation, Minister Gwarube said the results point to a more stable education system, but stressed that quality and equity must remain the focus of ongoing reforms.

Provincial Performance in 2025 NSC Exams

The provincial breakdown of results, ranked from lowest to highest pass rate, is as follows:

• Eastern Cape: 84.17%
• Limpopo: 86.15%
• Mpumalanga: 86.55%
• Northern Cape: 87.79% (largest improvement)
• Western Cape: 88.20%
• North West: 88.49%
• Gauteng: 89.06%
• Free State: 89.33%
• KwaZulu-Natal: 90.6% (top performing province)

All 75 education districts across the country achieved pass rates of 80% or higher, a milestone Minister Gwarube said reflects improvement spreading throughout the system.

Minister Highlights Central Themes in Education Reform

In her address, Minister Gwarube framed the results within South Africa’s broader education reform agenda, emphasising a shift away from crisis management toward strengthening the foundations of learning.

Some of the key themes of her speech included:

1. Stability and Integrity of the System

The Minister noted improvements in retention and progression, with more learners completing Grade 12 on time. She highlighted decreases in absenteeism and repeat candidates, as well as strengthened exam controls to preserve credibility.

2. Quality and Gateway Subjects

While celebrating the record pass rate, Gwarube acknowledged ongoing challenges in gateway subjects such as Mathematics and Physical Science. Although more candidates took Mathematics, performance declined, underscoring the need for stronger foundational learning early in schooling.

3. Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning

A central focus of the Minister’s reforms is strengthening early childhood learning. She highlighted expanded registration of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and investments aimed at ensuring children are developmentally ready by age five. The speech stressed that equity begins long before matric, with poor foundations in early grades contributing to inequality later.

4. Equity and Inclusion

The Minister pointed to increased participation and achievement among learners with special education needs and sustained growth in Bachelor’s passes in no-fee schools. She also stressed the importance of making South African Sign Language more widely accessible in education.

5. Beyond Numbers: Learner Support and Well-Being

Gwarube linked education outcomes to broader social factors, including nutrition, safety, and social grants. She noted that candidates who continued receiving social grants performed better than those whose grants had lapsed, underscoring the link between social protection and learning.

6. A Long-Term Vision for Reform

Invoking the symbol of the baobab tree, the Minister said meaningful reform requires patience, investment, and a focus on foundational learning. She urged communities, educators, and government partners to work together to strengthen the system from the ground up.

In closing, Minister Gwarube congratulated the Class of 2025 and reiterated her call to protect and deepen the progress made, saying that with strong foundations, education can be a true equaliser of opportunity.

Four people have been treated following a chemical incident at the Ecowize premises in Montague Gardens, with one patient transported to a nearby medical facility for further care.

City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services responded to reports of smoke emanating from the facility at around 15:30 on Monday, 12 January 2025. The first responding officer immediately identified the situation as a chemical incident and implemented emergency safety protocols.

These included the evacuation of the building, the establishment of an isolation zone, and a 300-metre containment area around the site.

Hazmat technicians were dispatched to the scene and conducted visual inspections to verify any thermal signatures and possible chemical reactions. They were working in fully encapsulated protective suits due to the hazardous conditions.

Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed at 7:11 pm on Monday that Hazmat technicians had completed their assessment.

The temperature of the container at the centre of today’s reaction has started stabilising. As it cools down, the chemical reaction will stop.

The vapour cloud that hung over the area has dissipated, and the area is deemed safe. The building has been ventilated and handed over to the owners.

The City of Cape Town has confirmed that more than 2,600* people were displaced, following the devastating fire in Dunoon Site 5 on Friday, 9 January 2026. 632 structures were destroyed.

The City’s Solid Waste Department moved in today (Monday) to remove debris from the fire site, while their Water and Sanitation counterparts are working to restore damaged infrastructure. Eskom was on site over the weekend to repair damaged electricity infrastructure.

The City yesterday reported that residents were preventing efforts to re-block Site 5, which would help reduce the severity of fires in future. Smile FM spoke to some residents on Monday morning who said that they don’t want the site to be re-blocked, as they fear they might lose their plots.

Some residents had already started rebuilding their shacks over the weekend.

Gift of the Givers is continuing to provide humanitarian relief, and the City says once the list of affected persons has been finalised, this will be submitted to SASSA to facilitate additional relief.

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell has thanked those organisations and members of the public who have responded to the call for donations.

Donation drop-off points are still active on a 24-hour basis at the following fire stations:

• Goodwood
• Roeland Street
• Lakeside
• Constantia
• Hout Bay
• Strand
• Wynberg
• Milnerton

Contributions of non-perishable foodstuffs, personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, face cloths, sanitary towels), nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets/bedding are welcome.

*This article was updated to reflect the final tally of persons displaced