Date: 2026-01-24 10:17:24

Mayor Xaba Honours Learners And Schools For 2025 Matric Excellence

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 MAYOR XABA HONOURS LEARNERS AND SCHOOLS FOR 2025 MATRIC EXCELLENCE

Hard work and perseverance paid off, as eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, honoured learners and schools who performed exceptionally well in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.

At the Mayoral Matric Awards Ceremony held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre on 23 January, Mayor Xaba recognised the top 10 learners in eThekwini, top 10 learners from disadvantaged Quintile 1 to 3 schools, schools that achieved a 100 percent matric pass rate and schools that demonstrated significant improvement in the matric pass rate.

Also, Mayor Xaba awarded 10 full bursaries to top achievers from disadvantaged schools.  These bursaries provide comprehensive support for full-time studies at public institutions of higher learning.  

Congratulating the Class of 2025, Mayor Xaba said: 

“Your commitment continues to shape the future of eThekwini. Your performance sends a clear and powerful message that hard work, discipline, and support yield excellent results.”

Over the past three financial years, the Municipality has invested approximately R31.3 million in bursaries. 

In the current financial year, a further R12.8 million has been allocated, including funding for continuing beneficiaries.

The two education districts - Pinetown and uMlazi - in eThekwini both achieved a 92 percent pass rate, ranking second and third in KwaZulu-Natal, which emerged as the best-performing province in the country, achieving an impressive 90.6 percent pass rate.

In partnership with Consulate-General from the People’s Republic of China, Cell C, Mondi KZN, Premier Foods, Vodacom, Coca-Cola, Gem Schoolwear and Afrisam, the top achievers received monetary awards and learning resources, which include laptops, routers, power banks, calculators and bags that will assist them to further their studies.

A proud Sakhile Mbanjwa from Lugobe High School in Umbumbulu, who was recognised in the eThekwini Top Ten and Top Ten from disadvantaged schools, thanked the municipality and its partners for learning assistance.

“As I look forward to study Actuarial Science at the University of Pretoria, I am grateful for the full bursary and learning aid that I have received”, he said.

Another eThekwini top achiever, Kuo-Hung Wang, from Northwood High School, in Durban North, commended the City for the special recognition.

“My hard work and sleepless nights have resulted in the recognition that I have received,” he said.

ENDS

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality Marketing and Communications Directorate.