Matric results out: KZN learners wait on University offers

MATRIC results are finally out, and now comes the next wait: will learners get the offers they hoped for from the tertiary institutions they applied to?

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) announced today that it will start sending SMS notifications to applicants this week. Offers will be released in batches over the coming days until all 9 124 first-time undergraduate places are filled. Incidentally, KwaZulu-Natal is the best-performing province, with a matric pass rate of 90.6% for the Class of 2025.

“Applicants who receive offers are advised that such offers are valid for 72 hours,” said Normah Zondo, Executive Director: Corporate Relations. “Offers not accepted within this period will lapse and be reallocated to other prospective students. Applicants are therefore encouraged to monitor their messages carefully and to respond within the stipulated timeframe.”

Zondo cautioned that even those who meet the minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed a place due to limited space. The institution received 326 546 applications for roughly 9 000 places. Selection is competitive and based on academic merit, with offers made to the highest-performing applicants until all places are filled.

In line with previous years, Zondo said no on-campus or in-person registration services will be offered, and unregistered individuals will not be allowed on UKZN campuses during the registration period. “We therefore caution prospective students not to come to our campuses, as no unregistered person will be allowed entry. We urge applicants to rely only on official information from the University. Furthermore, spaces at UKZN are not sold. No UKZN employee will instruct you to come to campus, or request payment in exchange for a place,” she said.

Meanwhile, teachers’ union Naptosa congratulated the KZN Class of 2025 for being the best in the country. Thirona Moodley said that, given KZN is the largest province and faces significant socioeconomic and systemic challenges, its learners have again shown remarkable resilience, determination, and excellence.

“The quality of the results is equally commendable. Of the 1 764 schools that participated in the examinations, 1 526 achieved pass rates between 80% and 100%, while 313 schools recorded a 100% pass rate. These results reflect not only academic success but also the tireless dedication, professionalism, and passion of educators, as well as the hard work and discipline of learners,” Moodley said.

However,  civil  society organisation AfriForum said the matric pass rate paints an incomplete picture of the education system. Carien Bloem, Head of Education Projects, pointed out that about 1.2 million learners started Grade 1 in 2014, but only 778 000, or around 65%, progressed to matric in 2025. That means roughly 422 000 learners dropped out long before Grade 12.

“When one looks at how many learners with potential start Grade 1 but never reach or pass matric, it’s clear the problem isn’t their final year—it’s a systemic failure that develops over years, hitting children in dysfunctional schools hardest,” Bloem said.

AfriForum warns that many South African schools have irregular or poor-quality teaching, which hampers learners’ academic development. Skills such as reading, writing, math, and critical thinking are often neglected, affecting later success.

“The situation is worsened by irregularities such as exam paper leaks, which undermine the credibility of the matric system and create a false image of performance. These issues do a great injustice to learners trying to succeed under difficult circumstances,” Bloem said.