Johannesburg – South Africa’s top-performing matriculants of 2025 were celebrated at a ministerial breakfast hosted by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Monday, ahead of the official release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.
The breakfast at the MTN Innovation Centre was attended by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who praised the learners as “the best of the best.”
“This is the pride of the nation. When we say you are the pride of the nation, we mean it,” the minister said .
WATCH | Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has congratulated the top achievers of the matric class of 2025, commending their dedication, resilience, and excellence. pic.twitter.com/dcMELGsoh8
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 12, 2026
A total of 927,143 candidates wrote the 2025 NSC exams across the DBE, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI).
The event formed part of a series of activities leading up to the results announcement, culminating in an evening awards ceremony to formally recognise national and provincial top achievers.
The DBE said the class of 2025 faced intense pressure but showed determination, setting a positive tone for the future of South Africa’s education system. Candidates will access their results through official DBE channels on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
