Pretoria, 13 January 2026 – The Telkom Foundation, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), today honours Gauteng’s 2025 provincial matriculants as the province officially releases its 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results. The moment marks a significant milestone in a long-standing partnership focused on youth empowerment, digital inclusion and strengthening the skills pipeline required for Gauteng — and South Africa — to build a future-ready digital economy.
The announcement and recognition of the province’s top achievers are officiated by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Education, Sport and Culture Matome Chiloane, and Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong. Their presence underscores the role of collaboration between government and the private sector in expanding access to opportunity and preparing young people for meaningful participation in the future economy.
In 2025, Gauteng records approximately 192,745 registered matric candidates, including 144,246 full-time learners and 48,499 part-time candidates. This cohort forms part of more than 900,000 learners nationally who sit for the NSC examinations. For many learners, matric represents a critical transition from basic education into higher education, skills development and the world of work.
As a long-term investor in education, the Telkom Foundation supports thousands of learners and schools in Gauteng and across the country, with a focus on improving outcomes in science, technology, English and mathematics (STEM), digital literacy, and access to learning infrastructure. This work is grounded in a shared conviction with the GDE that education and connectivity are central to youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth.
Telkom Group Chief of Corporate Affairs Mpho McNamee says the partnership with the GDE goes beyond sponsorship and reflects a strategic investment in South Africa’s future workforce.
“Matric is one of the most important exit points in the education system. While today is about celebrating achievement, it is equally about ensuring learners are equipped with the skills, tools and guidance they need to succeed in a digitally driven economy,” she says.
Through initiatives such as the High School Support Programme (HSSP), the Telkom Foundation delivers both face-to-face and virtual academic interventions aimed at improving learner performance. By the end of 2025, the programme reaches approximately 3,360 learners through in-person support and more than 35,500 learners online.
Beyond academic support, the Telkom Foundation continues to strengthen the digital backbone of learning environments through the rollout of ICT laboratories, devices and connectivity, alongside educator training. Learners are also introduced to critical future skills, including coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and cybersecurity. In Gauteng, the Foundation partners with the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) to train unemployed youth in ICT technical support and place them in schools, extending the impact beyond learners to youth employment.
At the 2025 results celebration, the Telkom Foundation also awards bursaries to top-achieving learners from Foundation-supported schools. These bursaries cover tuition, accommodation, stipends, devices, books and registration fees, complemented by wellness support, mentorship and job-shadowing opportunities. In 2025, Telkom invests R10.5 million in bursaries, reinforcing its commitment to expanding access to higher education and sustainable career pathways.
The Gauteng Provincial Matric Results Announcement and Awards Ceremony forms part of the provincial government’s Growing Gauteng Together vision and aligns with Telkom’s broader sustainability focus on people and prosperity — centred on uplifting young talent, bridging the digital divide and laying the foundations for long-term national growth.