As South Africa’s matric class of 2025 anxiously waited for the release of their results, some of the country’s top achievers shared how they overcame the odds at a ministerial breakfast hosted by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in Johannesburg on Monday.
The 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results are set to be released on Monday, 12 January 2026.
Ahead of the official announcement, high-performing candidates from across the country were honoured at a top achievers’ breakfast attended by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube at the MTN Innovation Centre.
Top achievers honoured
According to Umalusi, a total of 927 143 candidates wrote the NSC examinations in 2025 across the DBE, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI). Of these, 903 561 full-time and part-time candidates wrote under the DBE, while 17 414 sat for the IEB exams and 6 168 candidates wrote through SACAI.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the group of top achievers represented “the best of the best”.
“This is what the country can produce. It always excites me to be in the company of young people who are so gifted.”
The DBE said the breakfast formed part of a broader programme leading up to the official release of the results, which will culminate in an evening awards ceremony where national and provincial top achievers will be formally recognised.
The ministerial announcement of the 2025 NSC results will take place later on Monday, with candidates expected to access their individual results through official DBE platforms on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
The department has urged pupils and parents to rely on verified channels and to seek guidance where support is needed.
The DBE said the class of 2025 wrote under intense pressure but demonstrated determination, setting the tone for the future of the country’s education system.
This is a developing story
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