Mpumalanga – The Mpumalanga province has made impressive strides in the 2025 matric results, celebrating an 86,5% pass rate.
Although it slightly missed the 90% target for this year, it still reflects a 1,5% increase from the previous year’s outcomes for the 2024 matric class.
Out of 69,510 candidates registered to sit for their exams, 67,114 wrote all the subjects, with 28,610 achieving bachelor passes and 19,603 earning diplomas.
During the official announcement of the Umalusi-approved results in Secunda on 13 January 2026, Education MEC Lindi Masina shared that all the four districts have surpassed the 80% pass rate benchmark.
Ehlanzeni stood out as the top district with a pass rate of 88%, although it experienced a slight drop from 88,43% in 2024. Meanwhile, Nkangala showed remarkable improvement, rising from 85,24% to 87,4%, while Gert Sibande saw a small decline from 87,67% to 87,1%.
Bohlabela made significant strides, jumping from 78,6% to an impressive 83,5%. Additionally, the Emalahleni municipality caught everyone’s attention by being recognised as the best-performing municipality in the province, boasting an outstanding 94% pass rate.
The Mashishing Circuit shone as the top performer in the province and across Bohlabela, boasting an impressive 97,3% pass rate, up by 2,5% from the previous year’s 94,8%.
In Ehlanzeni, Whitehazy 1 claimed the title of the best circuit, achieving a respectable 94,7%, although it saw a slight dip of 0,6% from the 95,3% recorded in 2024.
Meanwhile, Steve Tshwete 2 stood out as the leading circuit in Nkangala, with a stellar 97% pass rate, marking a notable improvement of 2% from last year’s 95%.
Hoërskool Nelspruit emerged as the top-performing school in 2025, with 275 enrolled students who all achieved passing grades. The school also achieved a total of 402 distinctions across different subjects.
Furthermore, Luyanda Ndhlozi, hailing from Elangwane Secondary School in Volksrust, has distinguished herself as Mpumalanga’s leading student, securing a spot among the nation’s elite 40 achievers.
She has been celebrated with a brand-new car, a R66,000 cash prize, and a comprehensive bursary that covers her tuition, accommodation, and study materials.
Luyanda, who excelled among Quintile 1 schools nationwide, was also showered with an array of delightful prizes, including a laptop, a smartwatch, a power bank, a bar fridge, a microwave and a treasure trove of other gifts from enthusiastic corporate sponsors.
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu issued a bold challenge to MEC Masina, urging her to raise the pass rate target for the class of 2026. “Last year, we aimed for a 90% success rate but fell short. The MEC committed to achieving that benchmark for the upcoming class,” he remarked.
Embracing the challenge, Masina declared that any school scoring below 80% for the class of 2026 would be considered underperforming. She pledged that her department would revisit those institutions that scored below 70%. “Starting as soon as tomorrow, on January 15, we will head to those schools to offer our support, listen to their needs, and understand the obstacles they face,” she said.
