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Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba (L) alongside Education MEC Lerule Ramakhanya (centre) and Executive Mayor of Capricorn District, Councillor Mamedupi Teffo
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba says she will continue to support the 30% pass mark.
Some critics have argued that it is too low and masks deeper issues in the education sector.
Ramathuba has, however, defended the education system, saying it is a launch pad for different career paths.
She says that achieving a full National Senior Certificate (NSC) requires meeting diverse subjects’ threshold.
Ramathuba was speaking at a ceremony to announce the province’s NSC results in Polokwane.
“So not everybody wants an A+, it is Actuaries who must demand those A+ from those who want to be Actuaries, but learners must get a school leaving certificate so that they have Grade 12. There is nothing wrong with 30% and I am going to support it.”
Is 30% the pass mark?
During the class of 2025 matric results announcement last night, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said that 30% is not the matric pass rate.
The minister said there are minimum requirements that must be met for a learner to obtain their NSC.
“South Africans, we must also put a stubborn myth to rest, 30% is not the matric pass mark. The NSC is earned by meeting minimum requirements across a full subject package, including higher thresholds in key subjects, with different pass types that open different pathways after school,” added Gwarube.
Department of Education explains the minimum requirements to pass matric:
#mythvsfact | Can you pass matric with 30%?
NO! 30% is…
– Not a matric pass
– Not an overall result
– A minimum mark for one subject only, depending on the pass level.#nsc #nsc2025 #dbe #dbenews #govzaupdates #results pic.twitter.com/oOlw4Rin3V— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 12, 2026
