High-achieving KwaZulu-Natal Independent Examinations Board (IEB) matriculants say maintaining balance and consistent effort throughout the year rather than focusing solely on final examinations, was central to their success in 2025.

As pupils across the country received their results yesterday, candidates from Crawford International La Lucia, Crawford International North Coast and Kearsney College reflected on a demanding year that required managing pressure, expectations and extracurricular commitments. They all appear on the IEB Outstanding Achievements list for having achieved within the top 5% in 6 or more Subjects and achieved a rating level of 7 in Life Orientation.

Manzil Harikaran-Giandev, of Crawford International La Lucia, said receiving his results brought both relief and perspective. “More than anything, it feels really refreshing to know the outcome of my efforts and commitment this year,” he said. While acknowledging that “I could’ve done better in some subjects”, he added: “On the whole, I am content with my results.”

Harikaran-Giandev described his matric year as one defined by competing priorities.

“Matric in 2025 was filled with activities with KZN Youth Orchestra, sport and academics,” he said. “I chose to balance sport, music and academics,” explaining that this approach helped him “distance myself from the hype associated with matric”.

However, he admitted that “balancing these three facets was certainly the most challenging task of 2025”.

One of his most significant achievements came outside the examination hall. “My proudest moment, and certainly my parents’ as well, was receiving my white honours blazer for excellence in academics, music and service to the school and community,” he said, describing the experience as one that “left an indelible mark on my character”.

Looking ahead, Harikaran-Giandev said he plans to study IT at university and hopes to pursue a career that combines “IT and aviation”. His advice to future candidates reflects the approach he adopted this year: “Play sport and enjoy music while you are studying. Balance is everything.”

Tayur Lushen Moodley of Crawford International North Coast also pointed to consistency as a stabilising factor during matric. “It was a very long-awaited moment,” he said of receiving his results, adding that “it feels almost unreal that my entire school journey officially came to an end today”.

Moodley said he was satisfied with his marks. “Some subjects surprised me by being higher than I expected, and there were no marks that I was disappointed with,” he said.

Describing 2025 as his most enjoyable school year, Moodley said: “Despite the workload, it was my favourite year of school, and I never felt overly overwhelmed.” He identified his “ability to stay consistent and focused” as his proudest achievement, saying it “allowed me to surpass my goals”.

Moodley plans to pursue a BSc in computer science, explaining that the field “is constantly evolving and clearly plays a major role in the future”. His advice to the class of 2026 was to “stay consistent with your work and never doubt yourself”, adding: “Most importantly, maintain balance and don’t stress.”

At Kearsney College, outstanding student Joel Steyn said his achievements were the result of sustained effort, support and faith.

He added that being ranked among the top candidates nationally was “nothing short of a privilege”.

Steyn emphasised that preparation over the course of the year was key. “Working consistently throughout the year is essential to making your final examinations as easy and successful as possible,” he said, advising future matriculants to “take full advantage of any portfolio pieces that you are given”.

He will study medicine (MBChB) at the University of Pretoria and credited his success to those around him. “All glory for my achievements goes to God,” Steyn said. “I would like to also thank my parents and my family for their never-ending support,” as well as his teachers, “for how they have pushed me and sacrificed for me”.

THE MERCURY

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