Central SA
Free State congratulates KZN after losing top-performing province title─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:24 Tue, 13 Jan 2026
The Free State department of education congratulates KZN as it loses its top position.
Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube released the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results on Monday (12/1). She highlighted a historic achievement as the national pass rate climbed to a record 88%, an increase from the previous year’s 87.03%.
With a pass rate of 90.6%, Kwa-Zulu Natal came first, stealing the top position from the Free State, which came second with a pass rate of 89.33%.
Gauteng came third with an 89.06% pass rate, followed by the North West with an 88.49%, and the Northern Cape got sixth position with an 87.79% pass rate. It was also crowned the most improved province.
The portfolio committee on basic education has welcomed the increase in the pass rate achieved by the 2025 matriculants, but also emphasised the need for a coordinated effort to improve the slow adoption and intake in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) subjects.
“We welcome the increase, especially as it reflects the maturity of the system and work done by the department over the past few years,” said the portfolio committee chairperson, Joy Maimela. “But the low uptake and throughput in Stem subjects continue to limit the country’s drive towards economic growth, technological development, and global competitiveness.”
Gwarube stated that over 900,000 matriculants wrote the 2025 exams administered by the department across 6,000 centres, the largest class in the history of the exams. All of South Africa’s 75 districts achieved pass rates above 80% for the period.
“The increase in the matric pass rate signals a positive shift in our education system,” said Northern Cape education MEC Abraham Vosloo. “The pass rate for 2025 has considerably increased, with 3.57% from 84.2% to 87.79%.
“Over the past six years, we have seen a steady growth of 21.79% in the matric pass rate from 66% to 87.79%.”
Year | Northern Cape | Free State | North West |
2020 | 66% | 85.1% | 76.0% |
2021 | 71.4% | 85.7% | 78.6% |
2022 | 74.2% | 88.5% | 79.8% |
2023 | 75.8% | 89.03% | 81.63% |
2024 | 84.2% | 91% | 87.52% |
2025 | 87.9% | 89.33% | 88.49% |
Last year, the Free State was declared the country’s top-performing province with its 91% pass rate; this year, it came second with a pass rate of 89.33%.
“The Free State department of education would like to congratulate KZN on its achievement,” said Free State education MEC Dr Julia Maboya.
“As for us, we will continue to strive for excellence. Thank you to our teachers, parents, and the 2025 cohort. You gave it your all!”
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