Excitement filled the air this week as matriculants from the far south received their results.

The matric class of 2024 has achieved a pass rate of 87.3% in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams - the highest in the country's history, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced on Monday.

The pass rate increased 4.4 percentage points from 82.9% in 2023. It was 80.1% in 2022 and 76.4% in 2021.

And in another first, all nine provinces scored above 84% with 47.8% of matriculants earning passes good enough for university entry.

The Western Cape scored a pass rate of 86.6%, behind top-ranked Free State with 91%, KwaZulu-Natal with 89.5%, Gauteng with 88.4% and North West with 87.5%, and ahead of Limpopo with 85%, Mpumalanga with 84.99%, Eastern Cape with 84.98% and Northern Cape with 84.2%.

In the far south, Masiphumelele High School saw its pass rate rise from 62.8%. to 78.8%.

Fish Hoek High and Muizenberg High pass rates were steady at 99.5% and 85.4% respectively.

Simon’s Town School scored 95.6%, up from 89.9%; Ocean View High scored 61.5%, up from 54.3%.

Noting the 5.1% percentage point improvement in the province’s pass rate, Education MEC David Maynier commended the class of 2024 for their dedication and resilience, saying, “Thank you for the hard work that you put in to ensure you achieved your goals. You made a decision to invest in your futures, and we look forward to seeing what you will accomplish after matric.”

Fish Hoek High School pupils were thrilled with their results, and principal Steve Joubert congratulated them.

“This achievement is the result of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance,” he said. “Carry the lessons and values you learned at Fish Hoek High into the next chapter of your lives.”

To those disappointed with their results, he said, “This is just a hurdle. Take the lessons, move forward with determination, and use each day as an opportunity to build a brighter future.”

Fish Hoek High School’s top achievers for 2024 are Neve Killian with an 88.2% aggregate and six distinctions, Kaelan Lamberth with 87.6% and seven distinctions, Sydney Engelbrecht with 86.6% and seven distinctions, and Conner Howe-Watson with 86.5% and six distinctions.

Ocean View High School acting principal Andrew Sanders said he was pleased with the school’s progress, despite it falling short of its 70% target.

“We must keep working with our pupils, parents and the community to achieve even better results,” he said. “Our ultimate aim is to reach 80% or 90%, and eventually 100%.”

Celebrating the sharp increase in Masiphumelele High School’s pass rate, deputy principal Thandiswa Mzileni-Mgqamqo said: “This is a fantastic leap from last year. We set a goal of 70%, and we’re proud to have exceeded it.”

She attributed the success to the joint efforts of parents, staff, and local organisations. “Support from parents and NGOs was invaluable,” she said.

“From our Grade 8 educators laying the foundation to our Grade 12 teachers, they all played a vital role in making this possible,” she said.

Simon’s Town School’s acting principal, Lucresia Harrison, expressed pride in the school’s class of 2024, attributing the 95.6% pass rate to the school, parents and pupils working together as well as the hard work and commitment shown by pupils and teachers.

Of the 113 pupils, 58.4% earned a bachelor pass, a 4.2% increase from last year, and the school achieved 86 subject distinctions.

The top achievers were Amanda Blose with 87.2% and seven distinctions, Halisani Masuku with 83.4% and five distinctions, Misokhule Langa with 80% and three distinctions and Thimna Mpambani with 80% and three distinctions.

“We are very proud of the class of 2024 and wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” Ms Harrison said.

Muizenberg High School’s acting principal, Paul Cupido, did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.