Every year, the release of matric results is often marked by celebration, spotlighting top achievers and rising pass rates.
Yet, in the midst of applause, those who fall short can easily be forgotten.

But at Kwabhekilanga Secondary School, where the Class of 2025 achieved a strong 94% pass rate, principal Jubere Selowa chose to take time to remember those who did not make it.

Read more: Kwabhekilanga principal urges matrics that failed, or aren’t happy with results, to try again

Of the 300 learners who wrote their National Senior Certificate at the school, Selowa said 18 learners did not pass, representing 6% of the 2025 cohort.

He added that most of them failed just two subjects, and stressed that this should not be seen as ultimate failure.

“It is not the end of the world. Failure is not only about the results. In life, other things happen that I would say ‘I failed.”

Selowa emphasised that learners who did not pass would have opportunities to try again, with educators ready to support them. He also encouraged those who passed but remain unsatisfied with their performance to consider upgrading their subjects.

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“For those who got a higher certificate pass, there is still room to improve and get a diploma pass. Those who got a diploma, there is still room to improve. You can register to write those subjects that you did not do well in and improve, and get your bachelor’s,” he advised.

He shared the story of one learner who initially achieved a level five in mathematics but refused to settle. By upgrading, the learner improved to a level six, proof, Selowa said, that persistence paid off.

The principal underscored that teachers remain available to guide learners through rewrites and upgrades, while parents played a vital role in encouraging resilience. “Educators are still here, and we will avail ourselves to learners who want to try again.”

Meanwhile, the school’s 94% pass rate marks a significant rise from the previous year’s 86.4%. Selowa said the Class of 2025 achieved 168 bachelor’s passes, 80 diplomas, and 34 higher certificates.

Selowa praised the learners’ determination, noting that the results were not only reflected in the overall pass rate but also in the number of distinctions across subjects.

These included 11 distinctions in home languages, one in life sciences, and eight in life orientation. “They have done very well, and we are very proud of them.”

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