The announcement of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric results on 13 January marked a defining moment for South Africa’s Class of 2025, as thousands of learners across the country received the outcomes of their final year of schooling. This milestone once again highlighted the hopes, pressures and ambitions of young people, as well as the crucial role played by families, educators and communities in supporting them through their matric journey.
On the day, the national pass rate was 88% with approximately 345 000 candidates achieving Bachelor passes, around 184 000 diploma passes and just under 89 000 Higher Certificate passes. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest provincial pass rate at 90.6%, while Gauteng achieved a pass rate of 89.06%, reflecting a modest improvement on its 2024 performance and marking the highest matric pass rate in the province’s history.
For many matriculants, these results have opened doors to universities, TVET colleges and training institutions, while others are now charting alternative pathways such as learnerships, skills programmes or entering the job market. This period remains highly emotional, with joy and celebration for some and disappointment or uncertainty for others, reinforcing the need for ongoing academic, emotional and practical support for young people at this critical transition point.
Parents and guardians have shared in the weight of this moment, helping their children interpret their results and make informed decisions about what comes next. Teachers and school leaders, who have walked alongside these learners for years, are using the results to reflect on areas of progress in the education system and where additional support and resources are still needed.
As part of the 2025 Matric Results Announcements the Telkom Foundation sponsored the provincial and national segments with prizes for top achievers and also hosted the Gauteng segment of the 2025 NSC Matric Announcement in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education, creating a high-level platform to celebrate achievement and recognise learners from across the country. The Gauteng segment was hosted by Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC Matome Chiloane at the Telkom head office in Centurion. During the event, top achievers from Gauteng schools, including LSEN learners (Learners with Special Educational Needs) were honoured for outstanding performance, including the overall top learner in Gauteng. learners who excelled in key gateway subjects such as Science, Technology, English and Maths (STEM) , and those who achieved despite significant socio‑economic adversity were also awarded bursaries.
In a context where young people continue to rely on digital platforms for information, guidance and study support, access to credible digital tools remains critical beyond results day. Educational content, exam preparation resources and career guidance available through digital learning platforms are now helping matriculants understand their next steps, whether that means enrolling in further study, upgrading subjects or pursuing alternative routes.
At the heart of this support ecosystem is the Telkom Foundation, which, through its holistic education-focused programmes, including Telkom Learn, is working to make digital learning resources more accessible to high school learners, particularly those in underserved communities. By combining connectivity, ICT infrastructure, Teacher Development and Training academic and psychosocial support, the Telkom Foundation aims to ensure that the Class of 2025 and future cohorts are better equipped to navigate life after school with confidence.
“Every matriculant deserves to feel seen, supported and hopeful about their future, no matter what their results sheet says,” says Judy Vilakazi, Executive: Corporate Social Responsibility at Telkom Foundation. “By sponsoring the 2025 Gauteng Matric Results Announcement and continuing to invest in education, we want young people to know that there are real pathways available to them, and that this is just one step in a much bigger journey. For those that did not succeed this year we want them to know that this setback does not define their future.”
The Telkom Foundation also supports support learners’ grit and psycho-social well-being by offering counselling, coaching and mentoring. We also extend the psycho-social support services to teachers, parents and guardians who are part of the learners’ support structure by working closely with Chillie SA (116) and Lifeline (0800-012-322). For learners who may feel emotionally distressed they may contact their toll-free numbers.
The 2025 matric results moment has also provided an opportunity to celebrate resilience, particularly among learners who have overcome significant personal, financial or community challenges to complete their schooling. During the ceremony, stories from nine learners from under-resourced schools across Gauteng and other provinces were highlighted, showcasing how determination, community support and access to resources helped them succeed.
Beyond the results themselves, there is a growing focus on empowering young people with the mindset and tools to adapt, upskill and keep planning for “what’s next”, even when their paths do not follow a traditional route. Through its education and youth-focused programmes, Telkom and the Telkom Foundation remains committed to backing young South Africans’ ambitions with practical, long-term support that helps open doors to new opportunities.
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