Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

Matric Class of 2025 Makes History with Record-Breaking Pass Rate. 2/2

Loading player...
South Africa’s Matric Class of 2025 has rewritten the record books, achieving the highest pass rate in the country’s history. Just over 88% of the more than 700,000 learners who sat for the exams passed, with 656,000 crossing the finish line. Announcing the results in Johannesburg, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube praised the collective effort behind the achievement, saying the milestone was built “day by day, term by term, year by year” by learners, teachers and parents. Meanwhile, the Independent Examination Board reported an impressive 98.31% pass rate, with every successful candidate qualifying for post-school education. Phemelo speaks to IEB top achievers, including St John’s College head boy Siza Gule (9 distinctions), Ashley Erasmus from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (7 distinctions) and Nsovo Mabunda from St Peter’s College (5 distinctions).
12 Jan 3PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

International Wrap: Global Flashpoints in Focus

From political shifts in Venezuela and Nigeria to tensions in Iran and the state of US–South Africa diplomatic relations, Phemelo is joined by Senior Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues, Thembisa Fakude, for a wide-ranging discussion on the international developments shaping the global agenda.
12 Jan 3PM 22 min

Matric Class of 2025 Makes History with Record-Breaking Pass Rate. 1/2

South Africa’s Matric Class of 2025 has rewritten the record books, achieving the highest pass rate in the country’s history. Just over 88% of the more than 700,000 learners who sat for the exams passed, with 656,000 crossing the finish line. Announcing the results in Johannesburg, Basic Education Minister Siviwe…
12 Jan 3PM 20 min

Empty Seats, Loud Message: ANC January 8 Rally Highlights Declining Support

Sparse crowds and subdued energy at the ANC’s January 8 birthday celebrations have once again raised questions about the party’s grip on its support base. Political analysts say the poor turnout at the 114th anniversary rally in Moruleng, outside Rustenburg, reflects growing voter disillusionment fuelled by unmet promises and service…
12 Jan 3PM 15 min

ActionSA Slams GNU Ministers Over R450 Million Travel Bill

Nearly R450 million spent on travel and accommodation in just 18 months that’s the bill ActionSA says Ministers in the Government of National Unity have already racked up. The figure, revealed through the party’s GNU Performance Tracker and based on parliamentary replies, is expected to climb beyond R500 million once…
12 Jan 3PM 9 min

SA’s Most Fabulous Food Experiences of 2025

From boundary-pushing restaurants to the young chefs shaping what we’ll be eating next, we take a delicious deep dive into Gauteng’s standout food moments of 2025. Phemelo is joined by chef and food anthropologist Dr Anna Trapido to unpack the trends, tastes and talent defining the year. Multi award-winning chef…
18 Dec 2025 3PM 51 min
All episodes