Congolese Matriculant Showered With Powder Celebrating 2025 Matric Results
- Two Congolese matriculants marked a major academic milestone with an emotional family celebration in South Africa
- A heartwarming moment captured on video showcased the role of culture, family pride and support in celebrating success
- Social media users praised the joyful scene, applauding the learners and the meaningful way their achievement was honoured
- Briefly News spoke to the young man who shared the video, and he gave more insight into his matric journey and the gesture behind the powder being thrown on him after matriculating
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A joyful celebration unfolded after two Congolese matriculants in South Africa discovered they had passed their final school examinations with distinctions, marking a proud and emotional moment for their family and loved ones.
Source: TikTok
The Grade 12 2025 results were released today, January 13, 2026. The national pass rate for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams is a record-breaking 88%, with KwaZulu-Natal emerging as the top-performing province at 90.6%.
In a video shared on TikTok under the handle @nasse.ww, which has since warmed hearts online, the two young boys were seen checking their matric results on their mobile phones.
The tense anticipation quickly turned into pure excitement as the results confirmed their hard work had paid off. Overwhelmed with happiness, the boys jumped and shouted in disbelief, struggling to contain their joy.
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The celebration took an energetic turn when one of the boys' mother joined in, pouring powder over the young men in a playful and symbolic gesture of triumph. Laughing and cheering, she proudly celebrated the boys’ achievement, turning the moment into a vibrant scene filled with colour, emotion and laughter. The powder, often associated with celebration and victory, added to the festive atmosphere as the boys embraced the moment with wide smiles.
Loved ones who were present quickly gathered around, clapping, dancing and congratulating the matriculants. The family’s excitement was contagious, with everyone joining in to mark the milestone. The scene captured more than just academic success; it reflected years of dedication, sacrifice and unwavering support from those closest to the learners.
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For many families, matric results represent more than marks on a screen. They symbolise perseverance through long study hours, pressure-filled exam periods and the hope of a brighter future. This celebration highlighted the importance of community and family in shaping a learner’s journey and recognising their achievements.
While speaking to Briefly News, @nasse.ww described his matric results as a deeply emotional and life-changing moment, saying he felt "a mixture of shock, pride, and disbelief" after discovering he had passed with a Bachelor’s and earned a distinction.
He admitted that he had long underestimated his abilities, believing his results would "only ever be marks in the 70s" and that he would qualify for a diploma at best. Seeing his final marks forced him to confront those self-limiting beliefs, making him realise he was "capable of far more" than he had imagined.
He said the achievement not only brought happiness and relief but also gave him a new sense of confidence and reshaped how he views his future goals.
"Matric was not easy for me at all. I faced several challenges, both at home and at school. I come from a single-mother household, as my mom is a widow, and there were days when we didn’t have electricity or Wi-Fi, which made studying and completing schoolwork even harder. On top of that, I was the school president, so I had to constantly balance my academic responsibilities with leadership duties and representing other learners," said @nasse.ww, who told Briefly News.
@nasse.ww shared that he was balancing his studies with content creation and the pressure of organising a major moment for his matric dance, including "asking an influencer," which came with extensive behind-the-scenes admin and stress. He admitted that the process was "overwhelming at times," but said the strong foundation provided by his school helped him push through.
He credited his success to a supportive circle of friends and teachers who "believed in me even when I didn’t fully believe in myself." @nasse.ww went on to honour several educators who played a key role in shaping and motivating him, giving special mention to Madam Nyota, who has since passed away. He said her influence "will always stay with me," highlighting the lasting impact she had on his life.
He also highlighted the support of his best friend, Shilo, who appeared in the video with him, saying they were a "constant source of reassurance" and motivated each other through the most challenging moments. @nasse.ww added that his mother and older brother made sacrifices he "can never fully explain," saying they "truly crossed universes" to make his matric year both possible and memorable. With a touch of humour, he admitted that being "a bit hard-headed and refusing to give up" also played a role in his success.
In Congolese culture, throwing powder is a symbolic gesture of celebration and good fortune. It's a way to mark significant milestones, such as passing the State Examination (Examen d'État), which is a crucial step in a student's academic journey. The powder represents joy, prosperity, and blessings for the future.
He explained that the achievement meant "everything" to both him and his family, describing the powdered milk ritual as a deeply symbolic Congolese tradition. He said pouring powdered milk on a child who has matriculated represents "honour, pride, and deep sacrifice," especially because it is costly, making the gesture a powerful sign of gratitude and celebration.
For his family, the moment symbolised unity, with the act meaning, "We did this together." He shared that it reflected the sacrifices, long nights, and struggles they endured as a household, particularly after the loss of his father. The celebration, he said, was a reminder that his success "is not mine alone, it belongs to them too."
On a personal level, he described the moment as one of "validation and healing," adding that it affirmed that the pressure, perseverance, and hard work were worth it and that he had honoured his family, culture, and legacy, a memory he says he will carry forever.
Source: TikTok
SA applauds the matriculants
Social media users praised the family for celebrating the boys in such a joyful and affirming way, with many commenting on how encouraging it was to see academic success honoured with pride and love. Others shared messages of congratulations, saying moments like these inspire learners to keep striving for excellence.
D said:
"I’m so happy for you!!! Congratulations."
Octopuspie16 added:
"The way my friends had to explain the powder celebration 😂😂Congratulations."
Abu wrote:
"This is so beautiful mann😭 congratulationsss nassé!!🥹🥳🤏."
Thato Mpedi stated:
"I’m so proud of you Manasse."
Ma'Zulu commented:
"Super proud of you.🥳❤️."
Ursul shared:
"I don’t know how to explain to my South African friends, why I have powder on my face 🤣."
Watch the video below:
More on matric 2025 results
- The top achiever expressed deep appreciation for her parents, teachers and workplace support, saying their encouragement kept her motivated throughout the demanding matric year.
- A young man, alongside fellow members of the Class of 2025, celebrated their matric achievements in a heartwarming moment captured on video.
- As thousands of South African students await the release of the 2025 matric results, a viral video has provided guidance and reassurance to many.
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Source: Briefly News
