Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has announced that the Class of 2025 achieved an 88% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations — the highest in South Africa’s history.
Speaking on Monday, 12 January, at the MTV Innovation Centre, Gwarube said the 2025 cohort was the largest group of candidates ever to sit for the matric examinations. The 2025 results show a slight improvement from the 87.3% pass rate recorded in 2024.
The national pass rate has steadily increased over the past five years, rising from 76.4% in 2021, to 80.1% in 2022, 82.9% in 2023, and 87.3% in 2024.
Gwarube also confirmed that every district in the country achieved a pass rate above 80% in the 2025 examinations.
According to Umalusi, the quality assurance body, the 2025 matric exams were written in more than 300 subjects across approximately 9,400 examination centres nationwide. An additional 17,413 candidates sat for the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams, which recorded a pass rate of 98.31%.
*This article was first published by IOL News
A Bloemfontein man’s attempt to pursue a consumer complaint against electronics manufacturer Hisense has been rejected by the National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) after it found that his case had prescribed and could no longer be heard.
The tribunal refused to grant Leepile Solomon Ntoatsabone leave to refer his complaint against Hisense SA Sales Holdings, effectively closing the door on the matter.
Ntoatsabone bought a 70-inch Hisense Smart TV from a Game store in Bloemfontein in November 2021 for R14,999. He claimed he was led to believe that the television would function like a smartphone, allowing him to download and use a wide range of Google applications.
He said the television could not download Google applications, which was a key reason he bought the device, and that the booklet failed to disclose the product’s limitations
Compounding his issues, in July 2024, he discovered that only three of the 17 applications listed in the TV’s booklet were functional — Netflix, YouTube, and Showmax, however, Showmax stopped working shortly after purchase.
After complaining at the Game store, he was referred to Hisense, which, he said, failed to resolve the issue.
Ntoatsabone asked the tribunal to order Hisense to replace the TV with a newer model, or alternatively to refund him.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) had earlier issued a notice of non-referral, stating that the facts did not justify a remedy under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). This prompted Ntoatsabone to seek leave to refer the matter directly from the tribunal.
Hisense and the NCC did not oppose the application, meaning the tribunal heard the matter on an unopposed basis.
Despite this, the tribunal found that it had no jurisdiction to hear the case because it had prescribed. It was noted that Ntoatsabone became aware of the problems months after buying the television but only took formal action nearly three years later.
The CPA places a strict three-year time limit on consumer complaints, calculated from the date of the act or omission giving rise to the dispute. In this case, the cause of the complaint arose when the TV was purchased in November 2021, meaning the claim legally ended in November 2024.
“The tribunal has no jurisdiction to adjudicate this matter,” said the tribunal, adding that the law imposes an absolute bar on complaints older than three years and it would be illegal to refer Ntoatsabone's matter for review.
As a result, the tribunal refused to grant leave to refer the matter and made no order as to costs.
*This article was first published by IOL News
With the class of 2025 smashing the highest matric pass rate since democracy, many are cheering, while others are side eyeing the results, calling them a little too perfect.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced an overall national pass rate of 88%, the highest ever recorded in the examination cycle, and confirmed that KwaZulu-Natal topped all nine provinces with a 90% pass rate.
However, Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane is among those who remain critical of the Department of Education.
"How can children who cannot read for meaning, 8/10, end up with 88% of passing NSC," he said. "It's a lie told to South Africans...Complete farce."
GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron congratulated the class of 2025 on their results, while cautioning that headline pass rates continue to obscure deep-rooted weaknesses within South Africa's education system.
"Congratulations to the Matric class of 2025. You have completed a long journey, often in difficult circumstances at home, in your community or at school, putting in the hard work and demonstrating the resilience to reach an important milestone," he said.
Herron also commended educators, particularly those working in under-resourced communities, describing them as an often-overlooked pillar of the education system.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) also welcomed the release of the results, paying tribute to learners who succeeded despite significant barriers.
"The DA extends special recognition to learners from no-fee schools, learners who succeeded despite socio-economic hardship, and those who overcame personal and structural challenges to complete matric," Nazley Sharif said.
Sharif said the party had also noted progress in inclusion within the schooling system, including improved outcomes for learners with special education needs, and congratulated Independent Examinations Board (IEB) candidates on their performance.
She further welcomed the DBE's assessment of the results, particularly its acknowledgement of persistent challenges.
ActionSA's Parliamentary Chief Whip, Lerato Ngobeni, also commented on the results, stressing the limitations of headline pass rates.
"Any learner who perseveres to the end of matric deserves recognition," Ngobeni said, highlighting the effort required to complete schooling under challenging circumstances.
However, she claimed that official figures do not capture the full picture of the education system’s performance.
“However, headline pass rates alone do not reflect the true performance of South Africa’s basic education system. While government celebrates an official matric pass rate of 88%, ActionSA’s analysis shows that the ‘real’ matric pass rate tells a far more sobering story,” Ngobeni said.
She explained that only 57.7% of learners who entered Grade 10 in 2023 successfully completed matric.
Ngobeni further criticised government for focusing on optics rather than systemic reform. "Despite the Basic Education Minister’s triumphal rhetoric, nearly half of the learners who started the final phase of schooling did not successfully complete matric," she said.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is set to host a ministerial breakfast with the top achievers from the class of 2025 on Monday morning as the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results draws near.
Gwarube will formally announce the matric results on Monday evening.
As the countdown to the official release enters its final hours, matriculants across the country are experiencing a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement as they await confirmation of their results.
The 2025 NSC results will be published in accredited newspapers.
However, following privacy rulings, only candidates’ examination numbers - and not their names - will be listed.
Gwarube is expected to announce the top-performing learners and provinces on Monday, January 12, while individual results will be released on Tuesday.
She will be joined by Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule to host the official results release.
More than 920,000 candidates sat for the 2025 NSC examinations nationwide, making it one of the largest national assessment processes ever undertaken.
“This release marks the culmination of an extensive and tightly regulated examination, marking and quality assurance process,” the Department of Basic Education said in a statement.
The previous cohort, the class of 2024, achieved an 87.3% pass rate - an improvement on the 82.9% recorded in 2023.
Every province improved its performance, with all achieving pass rates above 84%.
Attention is now firmly focused on the class of 2025 and how they will perform.
The official announcement will take place at 6pm at Mosaïek Church in Fairlands, Johannesburg.
Earlier in the day, the department’s director-general will deliver a technical briefing at the same venue.
“The director-general will provide a detailed technical briefing on the 2025 NSC examination cycle, including system readiness, marking and moderation processes, standardisation outcomes and integrity assurance measures,” the department said.
Last week on Friday, Gwarube announced that the results of 40 candidates from eight Tshwane schools implicated in an examination irregularity will be temporarily withheld pending the outcome of formal disciplinary hearings.
She said each learner will undergo an independent hearing.
Candidates found guilty may have results in the affected subjects nullified and could be barred from sitting the NSC examinations for up to three examination sessions.
“Outcomes will be referred to provincial and national examination irregularity committees, with Umalusi serving as the final arbiter,” Gwarube said.
She confirmed that officials suspected of involvement have been placed on precautionary suspension and that the matter has been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Meanwhile, National Investigative Task Team (NITT) chairperson Professor Chika Sehoole revealed that a Department of Basic Education human resources official, whose son is a Grade 12 learner, has been identified as the source of the 2025 NSC examination paper leak.
The breach is believed to be limited to about 40 learners from eight schools in the Tshwane area.
The Department of Basic Education had previously interviewed 26 learners whose scripts were flagged during analysis.
Investigators confirmed that these learners had gained prior access to examination question papers and marking guidelines.
Meanwhile, as the weight of national expectations rests on matriculants, experts have urged parents to be vigilant for signs of distress among their children.
The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) has previously advised parents to seek professional help if they notice serious emotional or behavioural changes.
Warning signs include withdrawal, isolation and a loss of interest in activities the child previously enjoyed.
Dr Lauren Martin, a counselling psychologist and dean at SACAP, emphasised the importance of helping young people understand that their future success is not defined solely by their marks.
“Parents should continue focusing on their child’s strengths, efforts and emerging identity, rather than placing excessive emphasis on specific outcomes like results,” she said.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Young people in Rustenburg have defended themselves against bold and controversial claims recently made by ANC chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, who stated that the youth are too lazy to look for jobs.
Mantashe's assertions come amid service delivery challenges that have resulted in frustration in the North West Province.
Last week, while speaking to the SABC, Mantashe said the country's youth are too lazy to look for jobs and want the government to provide these jobs for them. In Moruleng township, where President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his keynote address in celebration of the ANC's 114th anniversary on Saturday, young people told of the pain of being unemployed while attempting to find new ways of making a living.
Lebogang Kgosi, 25, said that that efforts to find a job and the high crime levels in Northam forced him to relocate to Moruleng. He now makes R650 a day by using a rented bicycle as a mode of transport for community members looking for alternative transport to carry their groceries or to make their clinic appointments.
His rented bicycle, which has been turned into a rickshaw, has become an added mode of transport over and above the taxis used by commuters in the township.
"Before moving to Moruleng, I used to transport people with their groceries to and from the shops in Northam, but (I had to stop) because of crime and continuous muggings," he said.
Kgosi revealed that, despite constant clashes with the taxi industry, things are better in Moruleng than they were in Northam.
"It is not because we do not want jobs, but there are no jobs, and because there are no jobs, we do what we can to make a living, " this young transport business owner added.
In a township called Lerume, near Mogwase, another young man, Maruping Chauke, said the lack of jobs has forced him to repair a stretch of tar road affected by potholes.
On a good day, he makes R100, which he said is enough to keep him away from a life of crime and stealing copper cables.
"I stopped stealing copper cables after I was confronted and beaten by the community. Since then, I have been helping the community by servicing this part of the road to avoid a life of crime and drugs, "he said.
For Pilane Modise, nothing under the ANC works. From corruption to education and job opportunities, 'everything is reserved for comrades or those connected to the ANC', he said.
"I was very insulted by what Gwede Mantashe said.
"For someone who is a minister, what he said is very offensive because there are no jobs and mines are closed. What does he have to say about the mines that have been shut down, further complicating the lives of young people, who suffer due to a lack of jobs and business opportunities that rotate among the same people who are connected to the ANC," lamented Modise.
However, another young man, Vuyo Matshenya (21), who works at one of the retail stores at Moruleng mall, blamed the youth for lacking initiative. He said some of his peers spend their time drinking while they should be investing in their future.
"I tend to agree with what Mr Gwede Mantashe said because some of the young people do not want to look for jobs. You see, for me to be employed today, I spent months going from one shop to the next last. Eventually I got a learnership, and now I can provide for myself and my family," he said.
Meanwhile, Terrence Masehle revealed that he has spent more than 10 years without a job. He said that he spends most of his time looking for jobs, which requires him to travel distances in search of opportunities.
"There are no jobs, and if we are lucky enough, we get piece jobs, which are not enough. Sometimes you walk to the point where your shoe breaks. This government has not done enough to ensure that we have jobs and to provide for our families. Look at the issue of the R350 grant. How can a grown-up like me survive and provide for his children on this grant? Our children do not respect us due to how the government treats us," he said.
During his keynote address on Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa committed the party to creating a more favourable environment for young people to thrive through the expansion of economic opportunities.
"However, we must also recognise that our own weaknesses and failures in service delivery in governance and the slow pace of economic growth, as well as high levels of unemployment, have demoralised and alienated many individuals in our country. Even so, we must do better," he said.
Meanwhile, Mantashe has since accused political analysts and those critical of his views of blowing his remarks about jobs out of proportion, stating: "During my interview with the SABC, I gave a balanced view, but political analysts blew it out of proportion and vulgarised it."
*This article was first published by IOL News
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has invoked the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to compel the release of a report that informed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s unexpected appointment of Adv. Andy Mothibi as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
Ramaphosa last week named Mothibi, the former head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), as the new leader of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), after an advisory panel concluded that none of the shortlisted candidates were suitable for the post.
The appointment surprised the public, candidates who had undergone interviews, and political parties, raising fresh questions about transparency and process.
The Presidency has confirmed that the appointment report will not be made public, arguing that it was prepared solely to advise Ramaphosa and was not legally required to be disclosed.
The DA has disputed this position.
In a statement on Sunday, DA justice and constitutional development spokesperson, Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach, said the secrecy surrounding the report undermines public confidence in an already fragile institution.
“The President cannot exercise sweeping constitutional powers behind a veil of secrecy,” Breytenbach said. “This report goes to the heart of whether the NDPP appointment process was lawful, rational and fair. South Africans are entitled to see it.”
The DA’s PAIA application comes amid mounting scrutiny of the NPA, which continues to face criticism over stalled state capture prosecutions, capacity constraints, leadership instability and public perceptions of political interference.
Analysts have repeatedly warned that restoring credibility to the prosecuting authority hinges on transparent leadership appointments and decisive action on high-profile corruption cases.
Ramaphosa has defended his decision, stating that he acted within his constitutional authority.
However, critics argue that the advisory panel process — which the President described in November as “open and transparent” — was rendered meaningless when its findings were effectively set aside without explanation.
The seven-member panel interviewed candidates shortlisted from 18 applications but ultimately advised that none met the required standard for the country’s top prosecutorial role. Mothibi was not among the interviewees.
Mothibi will assume office on February 1, replacing Adv. Shamila Batohi, whose term ends in January.
*This article was first published by The Citizen
