By Akani Nkuna
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has called on the province’s matriculants to aim for a top-five national ranking in this year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, urging learners to surpass last year’s performance through dedication and community support.
Speaking during the annual provincial virtual prayer session on Sunday, hosted by the Limpopo provincial government, Ramathuba said the Class of 2025 had the talent and support needed to excel.
“We know we can do better, and we will do better. This year, 2025, our province has registered a total of 127 000 learners, both full-time and part-time, who will be sitting for exams across 1 648 examination centres. Our target is very clear: Limpopo must break into the Top 5 performing provinces in South Africa and we remain committed to supporting every learner to succeed,” she said.
The prayer session united local and provincial officials, traditional and faith-based leaders, parents, and Grade 12 learners, offering encouragement ahead of the final exams, which begin on Tuesday, 21 October.
In the 2024 NSC examinations, Limpopo recorded an 85.1% pass rate (up from 79.5% in 2023), ranking sixth nationally. Ramathuba described the result as progress, crediting strategies introduced by the provincial education department, but she said the province was “not yet satisfied” and must keep striving for better outcomes.
The premier praised the province’s investment in e-learning tools, weekend camps, and revision programmes, calling them vital steps in addressing educational inequalities and improving performance in under-resourced communities.
But she cautioned that social ills, exam stress, and community disruptions continue to hinder learner success. She appealed for collective action to ensure a supportive environment during the examination period.
“To parents, we ask you to walk this journey with them. To law enforcement, we request strict action against any distractions that may undermine exam preparation. To teachers, we thank you. To communities, we urge unity and support,” she said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
