iLembe District has celebrated a historic academic milestone after achieving its highest-ever matric pass rate in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

The district recorded an impressive 91.5% pass rate, a significant achievement that was celebrated at the Class of 2025 mayoral matric excellence awards held on Saturday at Maphumulo Town Hall. Of the 9 776 candidates who wrote the examinations, 8 945 pupils passed.

The results mark an improvement of nearly 2% on the Class of 2024, which achieved an 89.56% pass rate, further strengthening iLembe’s reputation as one of KwaZulu-Natal’s top-performing education districts. At provincial level, iLembe secured a commendable fifth-place ranking.

Education district director Dr Musa Madondo described the results as a “historic breakthrough”, noting that all education circuits achieved pass rates above 80%, with performances ranging from 84% to 96%.

“Education is not just a service; it is a right enshrined in our Constitution,” said Madondo.

“Although we are proud of this achievement, we did not reach our 95% target. We must continue pushing forward for the sake of our learners.”

Municipal results reflected strong and balanced performance across the district, with Ndwedwe achieving a 92.74% pass rate, followed closely by Maphumulo at 92.26%. KwaDukuza and Mandeni both recorded solid results of 90.67%.

The district also celebrated outstanding individual achievements. Two iLembe pupils – Senamile Tabete of Mathubesizwe Secondary School in Macambini and Olwethu Dladla of Tugela Secondary School in Mandeni – placed among the national Top 40 achievers, with only six other pupils from KZN achieving the same distinction.

Tabete, the district’s top achiever, was also recognised for her leadership abilities. She served as head girl and chairperson of the Representative Council of Learners at both school and district level, and represented iLembe at several academic and leadership programmes, including the BRICS Summit in China in 2023.

Dladla received an award for outstanding performance in Mathematics, while Bhayisekile Lusa of Tshelenkosi Secondary School was honoured for excellence in woodwork.

Mayor Thobani Shandu praised the steady progress of schools across the district, attributing the success to stable leadership and dedicated teachers.

He also highlighted that four schools – Inhlokozi High School in Maphumulo and Manaba, Ukuzamakwethu and Uyikhulu secondary schools in Ndwedwe – have maintained a 100% pass rate since 2021.

The district now sets its sights on achieving a 95% pass rate this year.

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