George learner tops national matric rankings as Western Cape sets new records

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WESTERN CAPE NEWS AND VIDEO - York High School’s Abigail Kok from George has emerged as South Africa’s top matric candidate for the Class of 2025, capping an exceptional year for the Western Cape, which has once again recorded its highest-ever matric pass rate.

The Western Cape achieved an overall matric pass rate of 88.2%, improving on last year’s record-breaking 86.6% and marking the highest pass rate the province has attained since the National Senior Certificate was introduced.

Equally impressive is the bachelor’s pass rate, which rose from 47.8% to 49.2% – also the highest ever for the province and the second highest in the country.

Against this backdrop of provincial excellence, Kok stood out nationally. She was named the top matric candidate in South Africa for 2025 and also achieved the top result in Physical Sciences. Her achievement marks the fifth consecutive year that the country’s top candidate comes from the Western Cape.

Kok’s success mirrors the province’s strong performance in key subjects. Western Cape candidates achieved the highest Mathematics pass rate in the country at 73.7%, while the Physical Sciences pass rate of 80.6% was the second highest nationally.

In total, 13 234 candidates earned 31 220 distinctions, giving the province the second-highest distinction rate in South Africa.

The province also performed strongly in inclusive education. Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) recorded a matric pass rate of 91.9%, with a bachelor’s pass rate of 60.4%, the second highest in the country. National recognition in this category went to Takunda Muchuweni from Jan Kriel School in Kuils River, who was named South Africa’s top LSEN candidate.

Another standout feature of the 2025 results is the Western Cape’s retention rate of 70%, the highest in the country and the best the province has achieved since 2021. This indicates that more learners are staying in school through to matric and completing their studies on time, increasing their chances of accessing further education and employment opportunities.

Education authorities have praised the Class of 2025 for being one of the hardest-working matric groups to date, while also acknowledging the vital role played by teachers and parents in supporting learners through extra classes, long hours and sustained encouragement.

VIDEO - Abigail Kok on her award:

Candidates will be able to collect their results from their schools and access them on the Western Cape Education Department’s website from 10:00 on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.

For George, the spotlight firmly rests on Abigail Kok – a local learner whose outstanding performance has placed both her school and the Western Cape at the top of the national academic stage.

Abigail Kok with Western Cape minister David Maynier. Photo: WCED