The Matric Class of 2024 has delivered a historic achievement for the Western Cape, with a pass rate of 86.6%, marking the province’s highest National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate ever. The significant increase of 5.1 percentage points from the previous year’s results has been celebrated by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), with Education MEC David Maynier applauding the remarkable success of this year’s learners. This outstanding performance is part of a broader national trend, as the class of 2024 also set a new national record with a pass rate of 87.3%, surpassing the 82.9% achieved by the 2023 cohort.
In addition to the overall pass rate, the province saw a 5.6 percentage point jump in its Bachelor’s pass rate, reaching an impressive 47.8%. This marks another milestone for the Western Cape, as it also led the country in the subjects of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, with pass rates of 78.0% and 79.4%, respectively. The province’s commitment to quality education was further demonstrated by the record-breaking number of subject distinctions awarded—11,699 candidates earned a total of 27,948 distinctions, securing the second-highest distinction rate in the country.
The Western Cape’s focus on inclusivity is also evident, as it achieved the second-highest pass rate for Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) at 91%, and the highest LSEN Bachelor’s pass rate at 63.3%. The retention rate from Grades 10 to 12 stands at 68.3%, the highest in the country, highlighting the province’s ability to keep learners engaged and progressing toward successful graduation.
The success of the Western Cape Class of 2024 has not only been quantified in numbers but also in accolades, with four local matrics being recognised for their exceptional achievements, including the top candidate in the country, Rayyan Ebrahim from Pinelands High School.
Despite these triumphs, the announcement of the results has sparked political debate. The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape congratulated the class but expressed concern over the province’s performance relative to other regions. While the province ranked 5th nationally in Bachelor’s passes, the ANC criticised the Democratic Alliance (DA)-led administration for not addressing the persistent inequality in education across different communities. The ANC’s provincial spokesperson, Khalid Sayed, lamented the lack of progress in addressing the needs of poorer learners and warned that the DA’s proposed teacher cuts would only exacerbate the education system’s existing flaws.
The GOOD Party, too, voiced its concerns over the disparity between affluent and underprivileged schools. Secretary-General Brett Herron highlighted the success of schools like Pinelands High but pointed out that the looming cuts in teaching staff would disproportionately affect less privileged areas like Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain. In these communities, the loss of teachers would lead to overcrowded classrooms and limited opportunities for students, further entrenching the educational divide.
While the Western Cape’s educational system has set new records, the debate surrounding resources, teacher retention, and inequality in education remains ongoing. With the passing of 615,429 learners nationwide, the Class of 2024 is part of the highest number of matriculants ever to complete the National Senior Certificate exams in South Africa’s history. Almost half of these candidates earned a Bachelor’s pass, and nearly 320,000 distinctions were awarded, marking a monumental achievement for the country’s education system. However, as the Western Cape faces pressure to address its educational inequalities, the challenge of ensuring that all learners, regardless of background, have equal access to the opportunities they deserve continues to be a key issue.
