Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa commended the Class of 2024 for their “numerous exceptional achievements,” which he noted reflect the commitment of students and advancements in the basic education system.
In 2024, a total of 615,429 students successfully completed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, achieving the highest pass rate in the country’s history.
The national pass rate for the National Senior Certificate increased from 82.9% in 2023 to an impressive 87.3% in the previous year.
Almost half of the students who took the NSC examinations attained a Bachelor pass, with nearly 320,000 distinctions granted.
On Monday, January 13, 2025, President Ramaphosa remarked: “The achievements of the Class of 2024 reflect our ongoing journey as a nation over the past 30 years of freedom and democracy.
“These results highlight our steadfast commitment to nurturing our most precious asset, our youth.
“They also signify that we are breaking down the enduring legacy of intergenerational indignity, disadvantage, and poverty intended by apartheid for the majority of South Africans.”
He further emphasized that these results showcase the agency, resilience, and pride of our youth as they strive for a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
President Ramaphosa added: “In both public and private education, our students, educators, and parents or guardians deserve our appreciation, along with school governing bodies, private sector partners, labor unions, and academic institutions.
“The doors of education are wide open, and we will honor every new generation that successfully walks through these doors.
“As the government and our civil society allies, we must come together to ensure that learners like the Class of 2024 seize every opportunity we create for their success.
“This includes providing the space and encouragement for young individuals to forge their own paths as entrepreneurs, innovators, and embodiments of creativity and self-sufficiency.
“The successes of the Class of 2024 should energize our resolve to address the challenges facing the education sector and our economic performance.
“We are confident that the Class of 2024 will formulate solutions to these challenges.”
Earlier, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced that 98% of South African children aged seven to 15 are enrolled in school.
“This indicates a near-universal attendance rate for students in Grades 1 to 9,” she noted.
“However, with Grade R becoming compulsory this school year, we must act promptly to broaden access to basic education from Grade R onward.
“This is a significant challenge that will necessitate extensive planning, investment, and a renewed commitment to our children’s welfare.
“While we have made significant progress in expanding educational access, we must now focus on improving the quality of education our students receive.”
Minister Gwarube stressed that learners should graduate equipped with an education and qualifications that empower them to pursue higher education opportunities or enter the workforce with dignity.
In Cape Town, the GOOD Party congratulated all matriculants who worked diligently to achieve success in their 2024 exit examinations.
“We also extend our congratulations to their families, educators, and school communities. Together, they contribute to the advancement of our people and our nation.
“The enhanced pass rate of 87.3% is uplifting, especially as all provinces witnessed an increase in their pass rates.”
RISE Mzansi congratulated the Class of 2024, including those who sat for the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) assessment, boasting a 98.47% pass rate, and those who participated in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) tests achieving a remarkable historic pass rate of 87.3%.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2024,” declared RISE Mzansi.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to parents, guardians, teachers, and support staff for their direct involvement in this achievement.
“This success belongs not only to the matriculants but is a reflection of the support from their communities as well.”
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) celebrated the Class of 2024 for their endurance and determination in overcoming the challenges within the education system.
“Your accomplishment is a testament to your dedication and commitment, and we honor you for achieving this significant milestone,” stated the ATM.
“For those who may not have received the results they hoped for, remember that this is not the conclusion.
“There are still opportunities to rewrite your story and carve out a successful future.”
ATM remarked: “While we celebrate this moment, it is also an opportune time to reflect on the broader issues facing South Africa’s education system.”
The ATM strongly advocates for urgent educational reform to overcome systemic challenges and ensure that no child is left behind.
“One of the most pressing issues is the high dropout rate between Grade 1 and Matric.”
