The Telkom Foundation, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), will honour Gauteng’s 2025 provincial matriculants at the announcement of the province’s 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results on 13 January 2026. The event marks a strategic milestone in a long-standing partnership focused on youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and strengthening the skills pipeline required for Gauteng, and South Africa’s, future digital economy.

The announcement and the recognition of the province’s top achievers will be officiated by the Gauteng Premier, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, the MEC for Education, Sport and Culture, Mr Matome Chiloane, and Telkom Group CEO, Mr Serame Taukobong. Their presence underscores Telkom’s commitment to working with government to expand access to opportunity and equip young people for meaningful participation in the future economy.

In 2025, Gauteng recorded approximately 192,745 registered matric candidates, comprising 144,246 full-time learners and 48,499 part-time candidates; contributing to more than 900 000 learners nationally who sat for the NSC examinations. For many learners, matric represents a critical transition point from basic education into higher learning, skills development and the world of work.

As a long-term investor in education, the Telkom Foundation has supported thousands of learners and schools in Gauteng and across the country, with a focus on improving outcomes in Science, Technology, English and Maths (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.

Ms Mpho McNamee, Telkom Group Chief of Corporate Affairs, says the partnership with GDE goes beyond sponsorship and represents a strategic investment in South Africa’s future workforce.

“The matric milestone is one of the most important exit points in the education system. Our role, together with the Department, is not only to celebrate the results, but to ensure that learners are equipped with the skills, tools and guidance they need to thrive in a digitally driven economy,” she says.

Through initiatives such as the High School Support Programme (HSSP), the Foundation supports learners through both face-to-face and virtual interventions designed to improve academic performance. By the end of 2025, the programme had reached 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 deployment of ICT laboratories, devices and connectivity, alongside educator training. Learners are also exposed to critical future skills, including coding, artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity. In Gauteng, the Telkom Foundation partnered with the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) to train unemployed youth in ICT technical support and place them in schools, extending impact beyond learners to broader youth employment.

At the 2025 results celebration, Telkom Foundation will also award bursaries to top-achieving learners from the Foundation-supported schools. These bursaries cover tuition, accommodation, stipends, devices, books and registration fees. Holistic support includes wellness services, mentorship opportunities, and job-shadowing exposure. In 2025, Telkom invested R10,5 million in bursaries, reflecting its continued commitment to expanding access to higher education and sustainable career pathways.

The Gauteng Provincial Matric Results Announcement and Awards Ceremony forms part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s Growing Gauteng Together vision and Telkom’s broader sustainability commitment to People and Prosperity, focused on uplifting young talent, bridging the digital divide, and laying the foundations for long-term national growth.