Western Cape Matric Awards 2025 celebrates record pass rates and student resilience

The Western Cape’s matric awards ceremony at Leeuwenhof, the official residence of the Premier in Cape Town, was more than a celebration of marks and medals — it was a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when resilience, opportunity and belief meet.

For Roux Basson, a learner from Piketberg High School, the journey to the stage unfolded alongside the fight of his life. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the start of 2025, Basson began intensive chemotherapy immediately, yet refused to let illness decide the outcome of his matric year.

On days he was not receiving treatment, he attended school. In July, he underwent knee transplant surgery followed by further chemotherapy. Still, he kept pace with his academic work and remained part of school life, even attending interschool rugby matches in full school uniform, lying in the back of his mother’s car next to the field to support his team.

He wrote his final matric exams while still undergoing chemotherapy and achieved a bachelor’s pass with three distinctions, including quality passes in Mathematics and Physical Science, an achievement that earned him the Special Ministerial Award, recognising learners who succeed despite exceptional hardship.

Speaking to the media after receiving the award from Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier, Basson reflected on the determination that carried him through. “I was motivated to work extra hard by the desire to not have to be in matric again,” he said.

He spoke warmly of the support that sustained him. “My friends and family were a major support when it came to managing my studies and treatment. There were a lot of people who supported me and helped me through the year, which made all the difference.”

Now finished with chemotherapy, Basson is focused firmly on the future. “I’m fine and healthy. I finished chemo about two weeks ago and this year I’m studying Economic Science in Stellenbosch. I want to be a financial planner,” he said.

Looking back, his words were simple and resolute. “2025 was a really long year. It was tough, but I got through it in the end. That is all that matters.”

Alongside stories of courage, the ceremony also celebrated academic excellence at the highest level. Abigail Kok of York High School in George was named the top candidate of the Class of 2025 in both the Western Cape and South Africa, as well as the country’s top Physical Science candidate, marking the fifth consecutive year that the national top achiever has come from the province.

Kok described her matric year not as a grind, but as a full and joyful experience. “To be perfectly honest, my year was an absolute blast and I enjoyed every second,” she said. “I played lots of sport while there were also cultural and leadership activities. Academics was a big part of the year, but there were other things too. There was lots that needed to be done, but I loved every second.”

Her advice to the Class of 2026 was grounded in balance and consistency. “Maintain balance. Being able to play sport and get involved in cultural activities was a way to destress and to remember that life is going to be okay,” she said. “Work consistently. Make notes and attend classes. Try not to bunk, that type of thing really helps.”

Kok also acknowledged the people and values that anchored her success. “Use the network around you. I was incredibly fortunate to have my parents, my brother and my teachers. I’m also very much a Christian and being able to pray every night was a massive part of staying grounded and keeping trying my best.”

This year, she begins studying data science at Stellenbosch University, where she has been accepted into Sonop residence. Drawn to numbers, patterns and problem-solving, she hopes to build a career that blends technology with purpose. “We are going into a world that is becoming more and more digital and automated,” she said. “I want a career where I can make a difference in ordinary people’s lives.”

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde described the ceremony as one of the most anticipated events on the provincial calendar.

“This is the event we look forward to every year. If you got here, know that we are here to celebrate you,” he told the learners.

Winde said the Class of 2025 had not only succeeded, but had set a new benchmark. “You have set the bar, the challenge for the Class of 2026. You have set your pathway to the future: a future job, a future career, and making a difference.”

Encouraging learners to be bold, he urged them to seize opportunity while they are young. “My message today is take a little more risk, push those boundaries a bit harder, because the world needs you to make a difference. Don’t get to my age and think, ‘Why didn’t I?’”

In his address, Maynier said the Class of 2025 had once again rewritten the record books. The Western Cape achieved its highest-ever matric pass rate at 88.2%, along with its highest bachelor’s pass rate at 49.2%. The province recorded the top Mathematics pass mark in the country and the second-highest Physical Science pass rate.

“Not only is Abigail the top candidate out of all 66 000 matrics in the Western Cape, she is the top candidate out of all 746 000 matrics in South Africa," he said.

While celebrating the achievements, he stressed that the next challenge lies in improving the quality of results, particularly in gateway subjects. Sharing examples of dramatic improvement at schools across the province including no-fee and rural schools, he dismissed excuses rooted in circumstance.

“No matter what the challenges, improvement is possible, and excellence is possible,” he said. “No ‘buts’.”

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