To : All News Editors
Issued : 16 January 2026
Attention : News Reporters / Health and Lifestyle Reporters / Newswires
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IkamvaYouth Matrics Excel with Record Tertiary Eligibility and 100% Pass Rates
South Africa, 16 January 2026 — As South Africa celebrates a historic national matric pass rate aggregate of 88%, IkamvaYouth is proud to announce that its Class of 2025 has significantly outperformed the national average. Multiple IkamvaYouth branches achieved a perfect 100% pass rate, with university eligibility exceeding the national average. These results underscore the effectiveness of IkamvaYouth’s neer-peer tutoring programme in bridging the gap between lower quintile schools and higher education access.
The organisation remains a hallmark of education excellence, and this year, The KwaZulu-Natal region led the organisation’s national performance with a flawless 100% total pass rate. Most notably, the region achieved a 93% tertiary eligibility rate. This regional success was mirrored in the Western Cape, where the collective achieved a 92% total pass rate. Of those, 85% of learners qualified for access to tertiary education,
“Having faced systemic hurdles, they have emerged with results that are nothing short of extraordinary. From the Joza branch in the Eastern Cape to our 100% pass rate branches in Gauteng and the Western Cape, these learners have shown that grit, combined with a safe space to learn, creates a pathway to a dignified livelihood. We are incredibly proud to walk this journey side-by-side with them as they enter their next chapter.” — Hope Chidawanyika, CEO of IkamvaYouth.
In Gauteng, the regional performance reached a record peak with a 92% total pass rate. The region effectively bridged the inequality gap, with 84% of its learners attaining tertiary eligibility.
The Eastern Cape regional cohort achieved a stellar 95% total pass rate, with 80% of learners eligible for post-school education. Meanwhile, the North West region maintained a strong 80% total pass rate, ensuring that 64% of its learners have secured eligibility for post-school opportunities.
“These results are a testament to the power of our ‘pay-it-forward’ model. More than just an academic victory, this success belongs to the learners, volunteers, teachers, parents and their respective communities, many of whom were once Ikamvanites themselves. By returning to their branches to support the next generation, they are proving that sustainable change is driven from within the community. We are not just producing matriculants; we are cultivating a culture of active citizenship and collective success.” — Hope Chidawanyika, CEO of IkamvaYouth.
This means Matrics supported by IkamvaYouth achieved an overall 91% pass rate, of those 81% are eligible for access to Tertiary Education.
By ensuring that 8 out of 10 Ikamvanites across South Africa are now eligible for higher education, IkamvaYouth continues to build a sustainable pipeline out of poverty. The organisation invites the public and corporate partners to join this mission as the Class of 2026 begins its journey toward academic excellence.
-ENDS-
Media Contact
Damien Buckton, Fundraising Manager, damien@ikamvayouth.org, 084 571 7733
More about IkamvaYouth
IkamvaYouth is a South African non-profit organisation empowering youth from under-resourced communities towards improved academic outcomes and accelerated economic access. Through integrated psychosocial support, academic tutoring, and career development, IkamvaYouth consistently delivers an 85% matric pass rate and 85% post-school placement. Operating in high-need provinces and aligned with national and global development goals, the organisation drives inclusive, scalable impact. www.ikamvayouth.org
Lloyd Lungu