Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

Matric 2025: Record Results, Ongoing Challenges

Loading player...
South Africa’s Class of 2025 has reached a major milestone, achieving a record 88% matric pass rate, the highest in the country’s history. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube says this was also the largest matric cohort ever, with over 900,000 learners writing the final exams. KwaZulu-Natal topped the provincial rankings with a 90.6% pass rate, followed by the Free State and Gauteng. Phemelo unpacks what these results really mean with Basil Manuel from Naptosa, Sam Beynon from Equal Education, top-performing pupils from Institute Status Acres Combined School, Junior Zandile Nyoni and Nqobile Thakudi, and Deputy Principal Morris Kasirori, the school in Ekurhuleni managed to do well in the 2025 national senior certificate exams despite challenging infrastructure conditions.
13 Jan 3PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Opposition parties delay “Unite for Change” election plan

BOSA, Rise Mzansi and the Good Party have shelved plans to contest the 2026 municipal elections under a single “Unite for Change” banner. Party leaders say merging structures has proven more complex than expected, opting instead for a phased cooperation approach - meaning voters won’t see a unified front on…
15 Apr 6PM 7 min

Legal Matters: workplace disputes and property law in focus

This week on Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana unpacks key cases - from alleged racism in the workplace to property disputes involving the voetstoots clause, while also tackling unlawful business practices and a Constitutional Court ruling on judicial recusal, plus listener questions.
15 Apr 5PM 53 min

Tshwane given 60 days to fix failing sewage system

The Department of Water and Sanitation has given the City of Tshwane 60 days to outline how it will fix collapsing sewage treatment plants, following a damning 2025 Green Drop Report. The metro’s score has dropped from 82% in 2013 to below 34%, placing it under regulatory surveillance and signalling…
15 Apr 5PM 25 min

Malema sentencing hearing: defence cites lack of precedent

The court has heard there is no clear precedent for jailing Julius Malema over celebratory gunfire, as sentencing proceedings continue in his firearm case. The EFF leader faces up to 15 years behind bars, with supporters gathering outside the KuGompo City Magistrate’s Court as both sides deliver closing arguments. Phemelo…
15 Apr 5PM 19 min

Trump hints at renewed US–Iran talks amid ongoing tensions

Donald Trump says US–Iran talks could resume within days, as officials explore a second meeting ahead of a ceasefire deadline. Tensions remain high, with a US blockade limiting activity at Iranian ports. Key sticking points include Iran’s uranium enrichment and US demands to dismantle nuclear facilities and reopen the Strait…
14 Apr 3PM 20 min
All episodes