Matatiele Local Municipality has officially released its 2025 Awards Categories list, recognising outstanding learners, teachers and schools across the district. The awards celebrate sustained academic excellence, high pass rates and top Level 7 distinctions in the 2024 academic year.
The ceremony highlighted top-performing learners from historically disadvantaged schools, special schools and mainstream institutions.
Top Learners from Historically Disadvantaged Schools (HDI)
In the Top Learners from Historically Disadvantaged Schools (HDI) category, learners were rewarded for exceptional performance across multiple subjects.
Kanetso President Matubatuba from Maluti SSS received a R5 000 voucher and a certificate after achieving multiple Level 7 distinctions, including:
- Geography (284)
- Life Sciences (280)
- Agricultural Sciences (274)
- IsiXhosa HL (245)
Nqobile Lebenya (Mvenyane SSS) and Minentle Mpahleni (Maluti SSS) each received a R3 000 voucher and a certificate for their strong academic results.
Top Learner (Persons with Disabilities)
In the Top Learner (Persons with Disabilities) category, Anikiwe Sogoni (911) from Sive Special School was awarded:
- A certificate
- A laptop
Sogoni excelled in subjects including:
- South African Sign Language HL
- Tourism
- Mathematical Literacy
- Life Orientation
Top 10 Learners in the District
Ten learners received laptops after achieving the highest totals across their six best subjects.
The top three learners were:
| Learner | School | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| Kanetso President Matubatuba | Maluti SSS | 1600 |
| Nqobile Lebenya | Mvenyane SSS | 1560 |
| Minentle Mpahleni | Maluti SSS | 1528 |
Learners Awarded for Level 7 Distinctions
Learners who achieved Level 7 distinctions in various subjects were awarded cellphones.
Recognised subjects included:
- Accounting
- Afrikaans FAL
- Agricultural Sciences
- English FAL
- English HL
- Geography
- History
- IsiXhosa HL
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Sesotho HL
- Tourism
Teachers Recognised for Excellence
Teachers were honoured based on:
- A minimum of 30 learners
- A 100% pass rate
- Multiple Level 7 distinctions
Among those recognised were:
- Elizabeth Prinsloo (Afrikaans FAL, King Edward HS)
- Kabelo Motsoela (Agricultural Sciences, Moshesh SSS)
- Lindiwe Mbedla (English FAL, Mvenyane SSS)
- Nokubonga Ncayiyana (English FAL, Mvenyane SSS)
- Christie DeKock (English HL, King Edward HS)
- Nolithemba Mboxela-Ndawo (IsiXhosa HL, Mvenyane SSS)
School Performance Awards
In the School Performance Awards category:
King Edward HS emerged as the top-performing school with:
- 100% pass rate
- 86% bachelor passes
- R5 000 voucher
Focused HS and Hlangwini SSS followed with:
- 100% pass rates
- Bachelor pass rates of 55% and 41% respectively
Hlangwini SSS was also named Most Improved School (Mover of the Year) and received a R4 000 voucher.
What This Means for the District
The 2025 Awards highlight continued academic progress within the Matatiele district. Learners, educators and schools were recognised not only for high pass rates, but for sustained commitment to quality education and subject excellence.
The recognition reflects ongoing efforts to improve academic performance across historically disadvantaged schools and mainstream institutions alike.
