Note to Editors: Please note Sakhile Mngadi, MPL sound bites in English and isiZulu
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) congratulates the Class of 2025 on an exceptional matric performance, with the province placed first in South Africa with an overall pass rate of 90.6%. This is a remarkable achievement and a moment of immense pride for KZN.
These results reflect the resilience, discipline and determination of learners, as well as the unwavering commitment of teachers, principals and education support staff who worked tirelessly to ensure learner success under challenging conditions.
The DA further congratulates uMkhanyakude District for its outstanding performance, having ranked second nationally. This achievement is particularly significant given the deep rural context of the district. It also demonstrates what is possible when dedication and perseverance are matched with focused effort at school and district level.
While celebrating these achievements, the DA notes with concern that the performance of a number of KZN special needs schools. Learners with special educational needs deserve tailored support, consistent resources and focused interventions to ensure they are not left behind. This remains an area requiring urgent attention.
It must also be acknowledged that KZN’s matric results were achieved despite ongoing systemic pressures. These include challenges with the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), delayed or non-payment of norms and standards funding, infrastructure backlogs and administrative constraints. That schools were still able to deliver such strong outcomes under these conditions speaks volumes about the resilience and professionalism within the public education system.
The DA calls on KZN Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka to build on this success by addressing the remaining gaps – particularly within special needs schools – and by ensuring that funding, learner support programmes and school nutrition systems are stabilised to sustain and improve performance going forward.
Once again, we commend the Class of 2025, their families and educators for delivering results that make KZN proud.