Matric class of 2025 celebrates impressive results in northern suburbs

It was a moment of relief for pupils and families across the northern suburbs as the Class of 2025 opened their matric results and celebrated good performances.

The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, announced on Monday, January 12, that the national matric pass rate rose to a historic 88%, improving on 2024’s 87.3%. The Western Cape recorded a pass rate of 88.2%.

KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the top-performing province with a 90.6% pass rate, followed by the Free State at 89.3%, Gauteng at 89.06%, and North West at 88.4%. The Northern Cape achieved 87.7%, Mpumalanga 86.5%, Limpopo 86.1%, and the Eastern Cape 84.1%.

Western Cape MEC for Education David Maynier congratulated the Class of 2025 on their achievement.

“The Class of 2025 delivered the highest matric pass rate and bachelor’s pass rate ever for our province. The matric pass rate increased from last year’s record-breaking 86.6% to 88.2%, the highest pass rate our province has received since the National Senior Certificate was introduced,” he said.

Soneike High School in the northern suburbs recorded a significant improvement, increasing its pass rate from 90.3% in 2024 to 96.4% in 2025.

Principal Ronel Baker attributed the improvement to discipline, hard work, and additional academic support.

“It is an amazing experience to be celebrating the 2025 results at Soneike High School. Our bachelor’s pass rate is just shy of 70%, which is an amazing achievement. We implemented a strict and disciplined approach, encouraged extra classes, and ensured that learners remained committed,” she said.

Top-performing pupil Mikaela Titus achieved an aggregate average of 84.2%. She said she was awaiting a response to her application to study the Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Western Cape.

Offering advice to the Class of 2026, Mikaela said: “You can do this. Everything is possible if you just work hard.”

Second top performer Denusha Samuels, who achieved a Bachelor’s pass with five distinctions, encouraged future matriculants to “study, study and study.”

Kuils River Technical High School also recorded a notable improvement, increasing its pass rate from 74% in 2024 to 83.1% in 2025.

Principal Faldilah Koning said the school was aiming to improve its results by at least another nine percentage points in 2026.

“The highlight for us today is achieving an 83.1% pass rate, an increase of 9.1%. We are especially proud of our Afrikaans Home Language learners, who achieved a 100% pass rate,” she said.

“Our target for the Class of 2026 is at least 95%. Plans are already in place, including extra and afternoon classes. Mathematics and Physical Sciences learners have already returned to school since January 6.”

Below is a list of matric pass rates for schools in the northern suburbs for 2025, with the 2024 pass rates shown in brackets for comparison.

* Bellville High School – 100% (100%)

* Bellville Technical High School – 86.6% (88.1%)

* Bernadino Heights Secondary School – 98.3% (98.0%)

* Bloekombos Secondary School – 84.7% (84%)

* Brackenfenfell High School – 98.9% (100%)

* De Kuilen High School – 97.7% (98.4)

* Hoërskool Durbanville – 100% (100%)

* Good Hope High School – 81.8% (75.0%)

* Goodwood Kollege – 96.6% (91.3%)

* Hector Peterson High School – 88.0% (97.0%)

* Kraaifontein High School – 88.9% (72.0%)

* Kuils River Technical High School – 83.1% (74.0%)

* Masibambane Secondary School – 82.0% (90.8%)

* Parow High School – 97.8% (99.1%)

* Scottsdene Secondary School – 93.1% (90.4%)

* Scottsville High School – 86.0% (77.0%)

* Soneike High School – 96.4% (90.3%)

* Stellenberg High School – 99.7% (99.3)

* Tygerberg High School – 99.0% (98.2%)

* Wallacedene High School – 83.0% (83,3%)