Emalahleni Hosts Cacadu Matric Awards at Freemantle Boys High

The 3rd Annual Cacadu CMC Matric Awards on Friday, 27 February 2026, at the Freemantle Boys High School Hall, where matric learners from schools across the Cacadu area were recognised for strong academic results and achievements.

The municipality described the ceremony as an annual event aimed at honouring academic excellence and acknowledging the resilience and determination shown by learners as they progress through the final year of schooling. While awards ceremonies are common on the education calendar, the Cacadu CMC Matric Awards have become a notable local platform where top performers are publicly celebrated and encouraged.

A celebration of results — and the work behind them

In its message about the event, Emalahleni Local Municipality emphasised that matric success is rarely achieved by learners alone. The recognition, the municipality said, also reflects the effort put in by educators, parents and guardians, as well as the wider school community that supports learners throughout the year.

This matters because matric performance often comes down to consistent support: learners balancing academic pressure with personal challenges, teachers managing large classes and limited resources, and families doing what they can to keep learners motivated, safe and focused.

The municipality framed the awards as both recognition and motivation — a way to spotlight what is possible when learners are supported to aim for strong results.

Mayor Koni: Municipality “committed to investing in education”

According to the municipality’s post, Mayor Councillor Nontombizanele Koni delivered the welcoming address and used the occasion to reaffirm the municipality’s commitment to investing in education.

While local government does not control the curriculum, municipalities frequently support schools through partnerships, youth programmes, facility support, community safety initiatives and coordination with education stakeholders. In many towns and villages, municipal leadership also plays a role in mobilising community support and encouraging learners to stay in school, especially where challenges such as poverty, long travel distances and limited access to learning resources affect performance.

By positioning the awards within a broader education-support message, the municipality signalled that it wants the event to be more than a once-off celebration — and instead part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the learning environment across communities.

Looking back at matric 2025: four schools reached 100%

A major highlight raised by the municipality was a reflection on the class of matric 2025, with the mayor noting that four schools achieved a 100% pass rate in the previous year’s results.

Although a 100% pass rate does not on its own explain the full story of performance (as factors such as subject choices, bachelor passes, diploma passes and number of candidates also matter), it remains a key milestone that communities tend to celebrate — particularly where schools are working to overcome resource constraints.

The municipality described the milestone as a testament to dedication from learners and educators, as well as support from parents and the broader community.