Minister hails 94% pass rate for prisoners
Nkosinathi Jabulani Gumede was named Correctional Services' top achiever for Class of 2025 with 6 out of 8 distinctions. Gumede has served four years for rape.
Image: Department of Correctional Services
FIFTEEN of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) 18 schools have recorded a 100% matric pass rate.
DCS on Monday announced an overall pass rate of 94,4% for the 2025 matric results, and in total, inmates achieved 132 distinctions.
Usethubeni Youth School at Westville Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal produced the highest number of distinctions with 58, followed closely by Baviaanspoort Youth School with 56.
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald celebrated the inmate matric pass rate of 94.4% at Goodwood Correctional Centre on Monday.
Image: Department of Correctional Services
The KwaZulu-Natal Region was also congratulated for registering the highest number of learners and achieving the most Bachelor passes.
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald celebrated the inmates academic achievements at Goodwood Correctional Centre.
A total of 180 inmates from 18 DCS schools across the country sat for the 2025 NSC examinations, joining thousands of other matriculants nationwide.
Groenewald described the announcement as a proud moment for the Department and the country at large.
Minister Pieter Groenewald and National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale presented awards to top achievers, recognizing the hard work and commitment that led to results.
Image: Department of Correctional Services
He said the rehabilitation of inmates remains a core mandate of the Department of Correctional Services, and that educational achievement plays a critical role in breaking cycles of crime and contributing to safer communities.
“We are here to celebrate resilience, discipline and educational excellence. These results affirm that rehabilitation through education is yielding positive outcomes and giving offenders a meaningful opportunity to rebuild their lives,” Groenewald.
He said it was concerning that learners opted for Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics.
He cautioned that the Department must continue to encourage learners to aim higher academically, as Mathematics remains a critical subject for broader career and educational opportunities.
The top achiever for the year was Nkosinathi Jabulani Gumede from Usethubeni Youth School, Durban Westville Correctional in KwaZulu-Natal, with an 85.5% average.
Jooste Tyrique from the Baviaanspoort Youth School in Gauteng, currently on parole, achieved an 84.4 average.
Groenewald extended his appreciation to DCS educators, officials and management for their dedication and commitment to offender rehabilitation and public safety.
He urged inmates to draw inspiration from former offender Lubabalo Fongoqa, whose life journey stands as proof that transformation is possible.
Fongoqa, who served 18 years in correctional facilities after entering prison with only a Grade 9 qualification, encouraged learners to remain persistent in pursuing their dreams.
He now holds an LLB degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and serves as the Director of Songo Legal Consultants, a motivational speaker, and Deputy Chairperson of the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) Student Chapter in the Western Cape.
He reminded inmates that prison walls do not define or limit dreams and ambitions.
While acknowledging the challenges and doubts he faced, Fongoqa credited his success to perseverance and the educational opportunities provided by the Department of Correctional Services, which enabled him to turn his life around.
“Do not allow incarceration to limit you or let these opportunities slip through your fingers. One day, we hope you will go out into society and make us proud,” said Groenewald.
Cape Times