The Matric Class of 2024 has shattered records and ignited hope, achieving South Africa’s highest-ever pass rate of 87.3% – a milestone that proves the transformative power of education to uplift a nation.
Johannesburg, South Africa (14 January 2025) – Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The Matric Class of 2024 has embraced this truth, marking a historic moment for South Africa with an unprecedented pass rate that has the nation beaming with pride.
The South African government has officially announced that the Class of 2024 achieved the highest matric pass rate in the country’s history: an astounding 87.3%. This achievement, a leap from 82.9% in 2023, represents not just a statistic but a triumph of resilience, dedication, and determination.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube expressed her pride at this extraordinary milestone during the announcement in Johannesburg.
“I am proud to announce that in 2024, 615,429 learners passed the National Senior Certificate – more than any other time in our history,” she shared.
“This is a moment of great pride and celebration for all.”
Nearly half of the learners – 47.8% – secured Bachelor passes, a remarkable increase from 40.9% in 2023. The number of Bachelor passes has more than doubled in a decade, reaching an incredible 337,158 this year.
KZN takes the lead
KwaZulu-Natal led the charge with 84,470 Bachelor passes, followed by Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Notably, 67% of these passes came from Quintile 1 to 3 schools in poorer communities, highlighting an inspiring trend of empowerment through education.
“This means that poorer communities are producing more and more candidates who can go on to become doctors, engineers, accountants, and scientists,” Gwarube added.
The Class of 2024 also set a new benchmark for academic excellence, earning 319,651 distinctions – an increase of over 65,000 from last year. Mathematics saw a particularly encouraging rise, with 69.1% of learners passing, up from 63.5% in 2023.
Gwarube acknowledged areas needing improvement, including Physical Sciences, which saw a slight dip in pass rates. However, she emphasised the importance of foundational literacy and numeracy to ensure continued growth in these vital subjects.
A System on the Rise
Improvements were evident across the board, with every province achieving a pass rate above 84% and more high schools reaching pass rates of 80% or higher. The number of underperforming schools has also significantly decreased. For learners with special education needs, participation rose, with 6,470 candidates writing the National Senior Certificate exams in 2024, up from 5,288 in 2023.
“In 2024, we saw more learners write the NSC exams than ever before, with 705,291 full-time candidates,” Gwarube noted.
The inclusion of 556,726 learners who are social grant beneficiaries further underscores the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.
While celebrating these achievements, the ongoing discussion around South Africa’s 30% pass mark standard continues. Critics argue for a higher minimum pass mark of 50% to better prepare learners for higher education and the workforce. Minister Gwarube has acknowledged these concerns and plans to establish an advisory council to explore potential reforms.
A Bright Future Ahead
As the nation reflects on this historic moment, the accomplishments of the Matric Class of 2024 serve as a reminder of the transformative power of education. These young achievers have broken records and also paved the way for future generations to dream bigger, aim higher, and achieve more.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 – you’ve made history and the future is brighter because of you!
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