Learners from the Western Cape Matric Awards 2025 celebrate their achievements, highlighting resilience and academic excellence in the face of adversity. The Western Cape’s matric awards ceremony at Leeuwenhof, the official residence of the Premier in Cape Town, was more than a celebration of marks and medals — it was a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when resilience, opportunity and belief meet. For Roux Basson, a learner from Piketberg High School, the journey to the stage unfolded alongside the fight of his life.
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the start of 2025, Basson began intensive chemotherapy immediately, yet refused to let illness decide the outcome of his matric year. On days he was not receiving treatment, he attended school. Still, he kept pace with his academic work and remained part of school life, even attending interschool rugby matches in full school uniform, lying in the back of his mother’s car next to the field to support his team.
He wrote his final matric exams while still undergoing chemotherapy and achieved a bachelor’s pass with three distinctions, including quality passes in Mathematics and Physical Science, an achievement that earned him the Special Ministerial Award, recognising learners who succeed despite exceptional hardship. Speaking to the media after receiving the award from Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier, Basson reflected on the determination that carried him through. “I was motivated to work extra hard by the desire to not have to be in matric again,” he said.
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He spoke warmly of the support that sustained him. “My friends and family were a major support when it came to managing my studies and treatment. There were a lot of people who supported me and helped me through the year, which made all the difference.” Now finished with chemotherapy, Basson is focused firmly on the future.
“I’m fine and healthy. I finished chemo about two weeks ago and this year I’m studying Economic Science in Stellenbosch. I want to be a financial planner,” he said.
Looking back, his words were simple and resolute. “2025 was a really long year. It was tough, but I got through it in the end.
That is all that matters.” Alongside stories of courage, the ceremony also celebrated academic excellence at the highest level. Abigail Kok of York High School in George was named the top candidate of the Class of 2025 in both the Western Cape and South Africa, as well as the country’s top Physical Science candidate, marking the fifth consecutive year that the national top achiever has come from the province.
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