{"id":296487,"date":"2026-01-29T18:23:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T16:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T18:26:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T16:26:08","slug":"western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Cape honours 2025 matric top achievers after record-breaking results"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Hard work and determination proved to be the driving forces behind Abigail Kok being named South Africa&#8217;s top matric achiever for 2025. She also claimed the top position nationally in Physical Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The York High School learner from George achieved an exceptional overall average of 98.4%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kok, together with the Western Cape&#8217;s top-performing learners, was honoured at the province&#8217;s annual National Senior Certificate Awards Ceremony, held today at the Premier&#8217;s official residence in Leeuwenhof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-provincial-results-reach-new-heights\">Provincial results reach new heights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Western Cape achieved its highest pass rate of 88.2%, up from the record-breaking 86.6% in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The province&#8217;s bachelor&#8217;s pass rate increased from 47.8% to 49.2%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also the highest ever for the province, and the second highest in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/historic-88-pass-rate-marks-best-ever-matric-results-for-south-africa\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/historic-88-pass-rate-marks-best-ever-matric-results-for-south-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Historic 88% pass rate marks best-ever matric results for South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kok told People&#8217;s Post being named first in the country still feels surreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"3413\" data-attachment-id=\"296489\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results\/zkbawards-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-2.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,3413\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.75&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ALT-LX2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1769679632&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.25&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;175&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Abigail Kok Tops South Africa\u2019s 2025 Matric Results with 98.4% Average. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Abigail Kok Tops South Africa\u2019s 2025 Matric Results with 98.4% Average. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Abigail Kok Tops South Africa\u2019s 2025 Matric Results with 98.4% Average. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-2-768x1024.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/districtmailhelderberg.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-2.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Abigail Kok Tops South Africa\u2019s 2025 Matric Results with 98.4% Average. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom\" class=\"wp-image-296489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-2.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-2-1320x1760.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Abigail Kok tops South Africa\u2019s 2025 matric results with 98.4% average. Photos: Kaylynne Bantom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kok told People&#8217;s Post being named first in the country still feels surreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It is a massive privilege. I only have God to thank that I am here. It was a wild dream come true. Last year was fun for me, yes it was hard work and exams, but it was amazing.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She shared an inspiring message with the class of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Good luck and I hope you find a balance. May you enjoy and remember to laugh. Because yes, exams are important, but they can also steal your joy. God bless.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>David Maynier, provincial education minister, lauded the learners for their &#8220;exemplary achievement&#8221; and wished them well for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top LSEN achiever overcomes challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Takunda Muchuweni from Jan Kriel School in Kuils River, was announced as the top LSEN matric candidate (Learners with Special Education Needs) in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite living with muscular dystrophy, Takunda stayed focused and committed to her academics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" data-attachment-id=\"296490\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results\/zkbawards-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.75&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ALT-LX2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1769690865&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.25&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;366&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.03&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"matric 2025\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Takunda Muchuweni was announced as the Top LSEN matric candidate (Learners with Special Education Needs) in the country. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Takunda Muchuweni was announced as the Top LSEN matric candidate (Learners with Special Education Needs) in the country. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3-1024x768.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/districtmailhelderberg.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"matric 2025\" class=\"wp-image-296490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-3-1320x990.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Takunda Muchuweni was announced as the Top LSEN (Learners with Special Education Needs) matric learner (Learners with Special Education Needs) in the country. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>She explains some of the challenges she experienced during her matric year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;During my matric year there were many days I was in physical pain and sick and that influenced my mood and energy and how I wrote my exams. There were times I wrote my exams while I was sick.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ministerial award recognises perseverance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Roux Basson, from Piketberg High School on the West Coast, received the ministerial award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This award recognises candidates who achieved excellent academic results each year despite significant hardship, ill health, and personal challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basson was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) early last year and began intensive chemotherapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" data-attachment-id=\"296491\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results\/zkbawards-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.75&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ALT-LX2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1769690242&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.25&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002996095&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"matric 2025\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Roux Basson, from Piketberg High School on the West Coast, received the ministerial award. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Roux Basson, from Piketberg High School on the West Coast, received the ministerial award. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4-1024x768.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/districtmailhelderberg.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"matric 2025\" class=\"wp-image-296491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-4-1320x990.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Roux Basson, from Piketberg High School on the West Coast, received the ministerial award. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite major treatment, including knee transplant surgery and further chemotherapy, he continued attending school, meeting academic requirements, and supporting school activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He completed his final matric exams while still in treatment and achieved excellent results, earning a bachelor&#8217;s pass with three distinctions, including strong passes in Mathematics and Physical Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basson told People&#8217;s Post his family and friends kept him motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;There is always light at the end of the tunnel. You must keep pushing to get there. My family and friends were always there for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Premier Alan Winde encouraged the learners to dream big and not let fear stand in their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" data-attachment-id=\"296492\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results\/zkbawards-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.75&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ALT-LX2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1769689336&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.25&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0011984&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"matric 2025\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The Western Cape Class of 2025 achieved its highest pass rate of 88,2% up from the record-breaking 86,6% in 2024.  Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The Western Cape Class of 2025 achieved its highest pass rate of 88,2% up from the record-breaking 86,6% in 2024.  Photo: Kaylynne Bantom&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1-1024x768.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/districtmailhelderberg.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"matric 2025\" class=\"wp-image-296492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZkbAwards-1-1320x990.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Western Cape Class of 2025 achieved its highest pass rate of 88,2% up from the record-breaking 86,6% in 2024.  Photo: Kaylynne Bantom<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Western Cape achieved its highest pass rate of 88,2% up from the\u00a0record-breaking\u00a086,6% in 2024.\u00a0The province\u2019s bachelor\u2019s pass rate increased to 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This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Western Cape Achieved Top Matrics for 2025 | DistrictMail &amp; Helderberg Gazette<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Western Cape achieved its highest pass rate of 88,2% up from the\u00a0record-breaking\u00a086,6% in 2024.\u00a0The province\u2019s bachelor\u2019s pass rate increased to 49,2%.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/western-cape-honours-2025-matric-top-achievers-after-record-breaking-results\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Western Cape honours 2025 matric top achievers after record-breaking results\" \/>\n<meta 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