Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – The 2025 matric results confirm KwaZulu-Natal as the top-performing province, overtaking the Free State after years of steady and measurable academic improvement.
KwaZulu-Natal’s rise is not sudden nor accidental.
The province ranked second in 2024 with a pass rate of 89.5%, following 86.4% in 2023 and 83% in 2022, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory that culminated in its 2025 top ranking.
The latest results confirm that KZN’s performance is not a statistical anomaly but the outcome of sustained investment and leadership.
In 2024 alone, KwaZulu-Natal produced 84,000 bachelor passes from 161,962 candidates, one of the highest outputs nationally.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli congratulated learners across the province, while also commending Siphosihle Hlomuka, the Department of Education, and its leadership for their unwavering commitment to academic excellence in 2024.
Premier Ntuli further acknowledged the crucial role played by educators, school governing bodies, and organised labour in driving learner performance and sustaining stability within the education sector.
Hlomuka, who was appointed MEC for Education in June 2024, brings a strong academic background to the portfolio. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (2020), an Honours Degree in Public Administration, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
WATCH: Isilo samabandla Goodwill Zwelithini dancing
Premier Ntuli himself is a qualified educationist, having completed a Diploma in Education at Rand Afrikaans University (now the University of Johannesburg), an Advanced Diploma in Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a Bachelor of Education Honours in Law Management from the University of Pretoria. He has more than 20 years of teaching experience.
Similarly, Head of Department Nkosi “Mapholoba” Ngcobo is a former lecturer at Ntuzuma College of Education and holds a Master’s Degree from the State University of New York. He has served as Head of Department since 1 March 2022.
Free State Misstep
In contrast, the Free State Department of Education scheduled a technical media briefing for today (Tuesday) to celebrate anticipated results, only to cancel the event following our report published yesterday confirming KwaZulu-Natal as the top-performing province.
The abrupt cancellation raised questions about preparedness and leadership maturity, with the department opting to withdraw rather than publicly account for its performance.
At the time of publication, Bongani Gina, Head of Communications in the Office of Premier Thami Ntuli, had not responded to questions sent to his office.
This remains a developing story.
Have you any news?
Email: news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
More Stories
A company with links to Patrick Phuti gets R97 million tender
“Cde Thabo is out of line” – Setai to Motsoeneneng
Women shot dead a few kilometres from Men’s Indaba venue