Ethan Naicker tops KZN matric class of 2025

ETHAN Neil Naicker, 18, from Port Shepstone Secondary School, has been named KwaZulu-Natal's top matric achiever for 2025, despite facing profound personal loss.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

CLASS of 2025 high achievers: Cayden Packreeappen, left, of Verulam Secondary, and Ethan Naicker, of Port Shepstone Secondary School. CHUMANI MAZWI

He never expected to reach such heights. Ethan balanced grief and academic excellence to become not only the province's best, but also one of South Africa's top 40 achievers.

At the provincial awards ceremony at the Durban International Convention Centre yesterday (Tuesday), Ethan was visibly overwhelmed when he was announced as KZN's top performer.

He told the POST that the reality of his achievements had "not sunk in as yet".

"To be number one is an incredible honour. But if I am being honest, I am in shock. I have not processed any of this as yet."

Ethan said behind the accolades was a deeply personal journey marked by tragedy a month before his matric year.

He said he had suffered the loss of his cousin in December 2024.

"My matric year started with this profound loss. She was a sister to me. It was really challenging going into matric without her. On top of that, there was the usual matric stress and the overwhelming workload."