With the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results released, the 2025 class of Grade 12 is now turning focus towards the future.
In a ceremony on Wednesday evening, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced that some 88% of the more than 900 000 learners who wrote exams had passed – a record-breaking milestone for South Africa.
Earlier in the day, Gwarube hosted a breakfast for the country’s top 40 learners in Johannesburg.
At the breakfast, learners expressed joy at their achievements and revealed their ambitions for the future.
Angie Ntuli, a learner from Phumzile Secondary School in Mpumalanga, told SAnews that she was “beyond ecstatic” to be a top achiever.
“It has not been easy at all. My mom was always there for me. We would study together and I would even teach her some of the things that we were doing.
“I am planning on going to the University of Cape Town to study Accounting,” she said.
Another learner, Asanda Ndlela, said the toil of the past year was worth it.
“I am so happy to be part of the top achievers. In fact, I first thought my friends were pranking me but then my school principal called me and then I saw it was serious.
“It’s been a tough year for all of us. But we have managed to get through it and eventually pass. I’m going to be studying Mechanical Engineering at the [University of Johannesburg] this year,” he said.
Simesihle Khuzwayo from King Bhekuzulu College in KwaZulu-Natal said her journey was not easy as she was sick during the year.
The illness and the care she received from medical doctors has now shaped her future career.
“I fell ill a lot and spent most of my time in hospital and I saw that doctors can play a very huge role in improving lives. I also want to do that. I had the best doctors and I also want to be one of those who will help kids like me,” she said.
Khuzwayo shared a word of advice for the incoming matriculants: “Do not compare yourself to others and don’t listen to external pressures which might make you lose focus. Focus on yourself and set realistic goals which you can reach.” – SAnews.gov.za
