Gauteng's matrics beat the odds with commitment and support

Structured interventions throughout the school year went a long way to produce results. By Lerato Mutsila

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Phumlani Sithole, the proud principal of Florida Park High School in Roodepoort, gives Kayla Raylene Timm a congratulatory hug after a year of hard work as fellow 2025 matriculant Meryl Jacobs looks on.

(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

Matriculants from all corners of South Africa descended on their former high schools on Wednesday, 13 January, to collect their National Senior Certificate (NSC) and celebrate the historic 88% national pass rate they all had a hand in making a reality.

Among the best-performing schools in Gauteng were Kaalfontein Secondary School in Ebony Park, Midrand, and Florida Park High School in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.

At Kaalfontein Secondary, a no-fee public school, former Grade 12 students gathered in a tent on the premises for a ceremony hosted by the school.

Designed to accommodate about 1,100 learners, the school has more than double that number of pupils. The 2025 matric class achieved an impressive 96.1% pass rate, down slightly from last year's 96.7%, with 61% of them getting a bachelor's degree pass.

Principal Rivalani Makhubele addressed both the outgoing and incoming matrics before handing over the certificates they had worked so hard to achieve.

"Against all odds, you have done it. You have passed and for that you must congratulate yourselves," said Makhubele.