Okhahlamba Applauds Excellence as Matric Class of 2025 Shines
Okhahlamba Local Municipality recently hosted its annual Matric Excellence Awards Ceremony, honouring the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2025. The event was led by His Worship the Mayor, Cllr. V.R. Mlotshwa, alongside the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. N.E. Tshabalala, and Municipal Speaker, Cllr. S.Z. Khumalo.
The ceremony recognised the top 30 academic achievers across the municipality, celebrating their resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence. This celebration comes at a time when the Class of 2025 achieved an impressive national matric pass rate of 88%, while KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the top-performing province in the country, recording an exceptional 90.6% pass rate.
Delivering the keynote address, Mayor Mlotshwa congratulated the learners on their remarkable accomplishments and reminded them that the journey to success is continuous and ever-evolving. He encouraged the matriculants to remain grounded, to honour their roots, and to use their education as a tool to uplift their families and communities.
The Bergville Circuit achieved an impressive 86.77% pass rate. Of the 33 high schools within the Bergville Circuit, nine recorded pass rates below 80%, reflecting a slight regression across the circuit.
The Bergville Circuit Management Centre (CMC) comprises four education circuits and is led by Mr L.F. Mbongwe, the Chief Education Specialist. He is supported by Deputy Chief Education Specialists responsible for their respective circuits. The circuits are managed as follows: eMangweni Circuit under the leadership of Mr Muvo Nkosi; Bethany Circuit led by Mr Mandla Sibisi; the Winterton Circuit, where the post is currently vacant; and the Amazizi Circuit which is being overseen in an acting capacity by Mrs Dudu Qwabe.
Outstanding school performances included Amazizi High School with a 100% pass rate, Ubulinga Secondary School with a 99% pass rate, and Isibuko High School with a 97.7% pass rate.
Further highlighting the exceptional academic excellence produced within the Bergville Circuit Management Centre, KwaNtatshana Public School proudly produced Siphosethu Gamede, who achieved the highest mark in Accounting in KwaZulu-Natal, the highest Accounting mark amongst Quintile 2 schools in the province, and the highest Accounting mark within the uThukela District. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Siphosethu’s dedication and discipline, and reflects the strong commitment of educators, school leadership, and education support structures within the Bergville Circuit Management Centre to academic excellence.
The top five learners from the Bergville Circuit were:
1. Sphosethu Nhlakanipho Gamede (Kwantatshana Public School)
2. Kwenzokhuhle Khayisile Nokwanda Hlope (Ngconngcosi High School)
3. Thandiwe Kholiwe Bhutelezi (Hoye Secondary School)
4. Bongukuhle Sanele Zulu (Ubulinga High School)
5. Andile Muleko Dlalisa (Ekwaluseni High School)
The ceremony was attended by councillors, learners, parents, educators, school principals, officials from the Department of Education, sponsorship partners, and municipal staff, highlighting a strong collective commitment to education. Sponsorship partners included KFC, which provided meals for the learners, and Sappi, which sponsored a laptop, a laptop bag, a Mr Price voucher and a Mobile charging device for the top achiever.
Okhahlamba Local Municipality extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2025, the Circuit Management Centres, educators, parents, and all stakeholders who contributed to this outstanding achievement. Your dedication to academic excellence has set a powerful benchmark for future generations.
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Issued By: Suraya Asmal
Senior Communications Officer
Okhahlamba Local Municipality
Cell: 082 788 5562
