Every Municipality Must Work
Programme Director,
Members of the SADTU National Executive Committee,
Representatives of the Department of Basic Education,
Award nominees and winners,
Educators, learners and parents,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Warm greetings to you all.
It is indeed an honour to join you in this 9th Annual Matric Results Excellence Awards Ceremony, a significant highlight in SADTU’s annual calendar.
We gather here today to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of SADTU members whose dedication and excellence continue to advance the union’s vision of delivering quality public education in all our schools. This ceremony affirms that their meaningful contributions towards building a robust and successful public education system are both valued and impactful.
As a union representing over 250,000 teachers and education workers, SADTU plays a vital role in acknowledging and inspiring exceptional performance among its members—those who consistently go the extra mile to improve education outcomes in South Africa.
The collective and individual efforts of educators contributed to KwaZulu-Natal emerging as the top-performing province in 2025, achieving a remarkable matric pass rate of 90.6%.
This, in turn, contributed to the national National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate of 88%.
The 0.7% improvement from 2024 marks the highest pass rate in South Africa’s history.
Ladies and gentlemen, more than 900,000 learners sat for the 2025 NSC examinations—the largest cohort in our country’s history. This milestone underscores the magnitude of this achievement and truly deserves our highest commendation.
Former President Nelson Mandela once said:
“It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, and a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.”
This powerful message reminds us of the enduring value of education and compels us to ensure that no learner is left behind or denied access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background.
We commend SADTU for recognising and celebrating the resilience, dedication, and excellence of our educators. These are professionals who, despite facing challenges such as limited resources, remain steadfast in their commitment to their calling. Rather than yielding to obstacles, they continue to persevere with determination.
Their work affirms that teaching is not merely a profession, but a calling—one that demands discipline, professionalism, and immense sacrifice in pursuit of excellence.
Indeed, teaching is often regarded as the foundation of all professions, given its critical role in shaping every field in society. Educators are entrusted with empowering learners through knowledge, skills, and values that prepare them for the future.
At the same time, we acknowledge the indispensable role played by parents and guardians, who have provided continuous financial, emotional, and moral support to the Class of 2025 since their early schooling years.
We recall the significant disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when these learners were in Grade 7. The prolonged lockdowns posed serious challenges; however, the resilience of both educators and learners ensured that lost time was recovered through dedication and hard work.
Despite these challenges, the Class of 2025 has emerged victorious—demonstrating resilience, determination, and excellence throughout their academic journey.
Congratulations to all educators and schools being honoured today. Your commitment continues to uphold and elevate the standard of education in our country.
May this Matric Results Excellence Awards Ceremony inspire all educators to strive for even greater heights, harnessing the transformative power of education to improve lives and secure a brighter future for all.
I thank you.