The Numbers Behind the Celebrations 

Of the 1,222,851 learners who began Grade 1 in 2013, only 740,876 wrote their matric exams in 2024, highlighting a dropout rate of 32%. While 47.8% of matriculants achieved a Bachelor’s Pass, enabling university entry, the broader statistics paint a concerning picture: 

• 572,338 learners (70%) writing matric were recipients of social grants, indicating widespread socioeconomic challenges. 
• 407 pupils were caught cheating, undermining the integrity of the results. 
• The Overberg District’s consistent high performance is commendable but represents a small fraction of the overall outcomes. 

Critique of Declared Results 

While the Department of Basic Education celebrates record numbers—615,429 NSCs issued and over 319,000 distinctions—the figures fail to account for the majority of learners who did not reach this milestone.  

The dropout rate and the gap between high-performing schools and underperforming institutions highlight systemic inequalities. Additionally, subjects like Physical Sciences saw a decline in pass rates, with only 75.6% of learners passing compared to 76.2% in 2023. 

The emphasis on improved Mathematics results (69.1% pass rate, up from 63.5% in 2023) is encouraging, but it contrasts with declining participation rates in key subjects, indicating potential barriers to access or interest in these critical fields. 

While the 2024 matric results reflect progress in several areas, they also underscore the significant challenges faced by learners, particularly in underserved communities.  

As matriculants in the Western Cape and Overberg District, including Swellendam, plan their futures, they must navigate a complex landscape of opportunities and barriers. By leveraging available resources—bursaries, loans, gap year programmes, and employment support—they can take meaningful steps toward further education and employment. However, systemic reforms remain crucial to ensure that every learner has a fair chance to succeed.