The Banquet Hall in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Nkangala District, was buzzing with excitement on 14 January 2025, as the 2024 NSC examination results for the Mpumalanga Province were announced. The event, attended by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule and Mpumalanga MEC for Education, Ms Cathy Dlamini, was marked by celebrations of academic excellence and a remarkable improvement in the province’s overall performance.
Mpumalanga achieved an impressive 84.99% pass rate, a significant increase from the 77% achieved in 2023, showcasing the hard work and dedication of both students and educators. This achievement was particularly notable in the context of the 575 schools across the province that participated in the NSC examinations. Hoërskool Nelspruit emerged as the top-performing school, setting a new benchmark for academic excellence in the province.
During the event, MEC for Education, Ms Cathy Dlamini, delivered a heartfelt speech, acknowledging the efforts of learners, teachers and parents: “We are proud of our learners’ achievements, and this improvement is a testament to their hard work and perseverance,” MEC Dlamini said.
Amongst the most celebrated moments was the recognition of Gugu Pioneer Libambo, from Mphanama Secondary School, who was named Mpumalanga’s overall top-performing matriculant for 2024. Libambo, who surpassed over 67,000 candidates, was presented with a brand-new Toyota Vitz, a generous prize sponsored by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government. MEC Dlamini lauded her achievement, describing it as a source of pride for the entire province.
Deputy Minister Mhaule took to the stage to shake hands with the top achievers and adding a personal touch to the celebrations. The event concluded with a congratulatory message by Premier Mr Mandla Ndlovu, as he proudly shared his optimism for the future, as Mpumalanga continues to set high standards in education.
Deputy Minister Mhaule also visited the Ndlela and Inqubeko Secondary Schools on 15 January 2025, to oversee the reopening of schools for the 2025 academic calendar, motivating learners to remain committed to their studies and encouraging the Class of 2025 to improve on the academic performance of the 2024 cohort.