"So Unbelievable": Young Woman Rants About Alleged 0% Matric Pass Rate at Limpopo School

• A young woman’s video questioning an alleged 0% matric pass rate at a Limpopo school reignited national conversations about education inequality
• The clip pushed many to reflect on how national pass rates can sometimes hide the struggles faced by under-resourced schools
• South Africans related to the frustration and disbelief expressed in the video, with many seeing it as a wake-up call about gaps in the education system
• Briefly News spoke to Precious Gqabu and teacher Thandi, both educators, to unpack the factors behind poor matric performance and how schools, communities and parents can better support learners

One matric results allegation forced South Africans to look beyond the headlines and question what progress really means, as well as the quality of education.

A video posted by @nkosi_joy in Johannesburg on 13 January 2026 has stirred debate after a young woman questioned how a Limpopo high school could allegedly record a 0% matric pass rate. In the clip, she reacts emotionally to reports claiming that all 15 matriculants at the school failed their 2025 National Senior Certificate exams. The claims surfaced shortly after the Department of Basic Education announced that the national matric class of 2025 achieved an overall pass rate of 88%, making the alleged results even more shocking.

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The situation has reopened discussions around inequality within South Africa’s education system. While national results often highlight progress, they can sometimes mask challenges faced by under-resourced schools. Factors such as overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, limited learning materials and socioeconomic pressures continue to affect learner performance, particularly in rural areas.

Education gaps spark national concern

The video resonated widely online because it voiced a frustration many South Africans already feel. Viewers related to the disbelief and concern over how learners could fall so far behind despite national improvements. The contrast between the national pass rate and the alleged school outcome made the issue feel urgent and deeply troubling.

Reactions to user @nkosi_joy's video reflected a mix of anger, sadness and calls for accountability. Many expressed concern for the affected learners and questioned how support systems failed them. Others saw the moment as a reminder that educational progress needs to reach every corner of the country, not just headline figures.

Precious told Briefly News that poor results are often rooted in deep structural and social challenges.

“Lack of resources and child-headed families are some of the major contributing factors to poor academic performance. In some cases, educators who are not fully familiar with NSC marking standards fail to teach learners the correct techniques for answering exam questions.”

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She added that educator development and collaboration are critical. She said:

“Teachers should attend regular workshops and work in partnership with educators from neighbouring schools to share knowledge and best practices. This kind of collaboration can help improve teaching quality and learner outcomes.”

According to Precious, additional academic and psychosocial support is equally important. She added:

“Extra classes during weekends, both during the day and at night, are strategies many districts are already implementing. Sponsors can assist by motivating educators through incentives, while schools should work closely with social workers and NGOs to support learners facing psychological challenges.”

Teacher Thandi, on the other hand, said her advice comes from personal experience, having grown up in a disadvantaged background herself.

“Working hard in such circumstances is not easy. There are moments when learners feel tired, discouraged and ready to give up, but what keeps many going is the hope of a better future and a better life.”

She highlighted the role parents play in learner success, while acknowledging that effort does not always translate to high marks.

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“Many learners who succeed come from homes where parents are actively involved in schoolwork, checking homework and monitoring progress. However, not all learners are academically gifted, even with full parental support, which is why encouragement after failure is so important.”

Thandi emphasised that teachers must address both academic and emotional needs.

“Many challenges learners face are rooted outside the classroom, including trauma, poverty and neglect. By listening, showing empathy, offering revision sessions, and connecting learners to counselling or trusted adults, teachers can help learners feel supported and less alone.”

She added that low matric pass rates are often misunderstood.

“These results are usually less about learners being incapable and more about the socio-economic environments they come from. By creating supportive classrooms, identifying struggling learners early, using peer support and working with parents, NGOs and social services, schools can help ensure learners’ basic needs are met so that learning can truly take place.”

Here's what Mzansi said

Manoko Lefa Moloto0_6 said:

“The school had 4 teachers from grades 8 to 12.”

Pitsi_walls said:

“I’m in grade 11 in the same school.”

ZeeWale Titsha said:

“You guys really do not know what multigrade teaching is. No high school should be allowed to offer that; one grade will always suffer.”

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Unforgettable_Knox said:

“In KZN, when a school had a lower pass rate a few years ago, the community had a meeting with the principal and teachers, and their work produced impressive results in the last two years.”

Mphoza said:

“We lack teachers in Limpopo. During my matric year, we didn’t have agricultural science, geography, and maths literacy teachers.”

Tumelo said:

“From 40% to 47% to 0.0%. Yoh. 😭😭”

Troshka™ said:

“It’s no longer a pass rate, but a fail rate.”

Phoebe said:

“Don’t you get a few marks for just writing your student number?”

Check out the TikTok video below:

3 Other Briefly News stories related to matric results

• A young husband and wife entertained the internet by sharing their past academic results with a sense of humour while at home.
• Matric learners in Umlazi gathered just after midnight to experience the release of their 2025 results together in a shared community space.
• Two Congolese matriculants marked a major academic milestone with an emotional family celebration in South Africa.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News