Mnyakanya High School rises to the challenge with Outstanding 2025 Matric Examination Results
By Mrs PK Zondi, Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Mnyakanya High School is thrilled to announce an outstanding 92% matric pass rate for students taking the 2025 national examinations. This remarkable achievement came as a surprise to most teachers who were not expecting this success because of many challenges that came after a long period of teacher emigration that led to gaps in staffing.
These exciting and inspiring results produced 61 learners who qualified for universities with a Bachelor’s Pass, 42 earned a Diploma Pass which opens the door for them to further their studies in colleges. 23 students achieved Higher Certificates, qualifying them to study in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.
The principal of Mnyakanya High School, SV Ngubane, praised teachers and learners saying "These results reflects a great strength and dedication from learners, teachers and parents who worked together extremely hard to overcome the challenges of the last year. Computer classes that were introduced to the school by the Bambisanani Partnership also opened the world of learners into digital learning and prepared students for a technology driven world." He further thanked all teachers who sacrificed their family times during weekends, holidays and after normal school hours to come and teach learners.
Amahle Khanyile receiving her top achiever award 2025 from SV Ngubane, Principal.
One of the top achievers of Mnyakanya High School Amahle Khanyile, who was overwhelmed with joy commented:
“2025 was really challenging, it wasn’t easy at all, but I'm so grateful that I was able to achieve my goal of being recognised as one of top achievers at Mnyakanya High School. I am proud to say that through my hard work and dedication, I am now a first-year student at the Durban University of Technology, which is a great honour for me. I wish to send a special thanks to everyone who contributed positively towards my success. I am so excited to equip myself with the skills and knowledge I will learn in the next chapter of my life.”
The principal added that these school results did not happen by chance, but as result of implementing several key strategies to overcome staffing gaps such as:
After school study groups led by senior teachers and supported by alumni students who return to mentor current learners.
Peer tutoring programmes pairing top performing students with those who need extra help.
Regular parent-teacher meetings to keep families involved in their children's progress.
Additional weekends, holidays and evening classes to prepare learners for final examinations.
Miss FJ Lekena , a deputy principal of Mnyakanya School said: "Our teachers went beyond their call of duty by staying at school until late to help learners with difficulties in concepts.”
The school's achievement has drawn praise from local leaders and from municipality leaders. The Ward Councillor Nkwanyana came to school to donate pair of shoes to learners with challenges and passed these words of gratitude:
"Mnyakanya's success is inspiring the whole community and is changing the lives for the better in many families. It really shows what's possible when we invest in education.”
The school is looking forward to expanding its career guidance program to help learners make informed choices about university and TVET pathways. Mnyakanya High School is a great inspiration to many young people from neighbouring primary schools who see the school as the only pathway out of the poverty to their success. Many parents who never had a chance to complete school now express pride and optimism for their children's future.
Mvubu Uyabusa is going to study Astrophysics at Wits University in Johannesburg
Mvubu Uyabusa one of the top achievers said:
"I am grateful that I had an opportunity to be a student at Mnyakanya High School. It has been tough because I came to the school from another province to do grade 10. My home language is totally different from the local language of the school. I wish to pass words of appreciation to everyone who impacted positively to my journey. I am so excited that I represented my school by being one of the top achievers of the class of 2025. I’m so thrilled to mention that this year I am doing my first year in Astrophysics at Wits University in Johannesburg.”
David Geldart, who established the partnership between Mnyakanya School and St. Mary’s School said “The educators and learners at Mnyakanya are an inspiration to many other educators and learners and not just in South Africa. On my first visit to South Africa, I met amazing young people who were prepared to walk two hours to and from school each day because they wanted and valued an education. This desire to learn, persevere and work hard despite phenomenal challenges is typical of young Zulu learners in my experience. The teachers at Mnyakanya go far further than the ‘extra mile’; their dedication and devotion is simply remarkable. They are achieving all of this with very limited resources. Their success is richly deserved; they are living proof that nothing quite succeeds like hard work and determination. Well done to you all!”
