Usethubeni School at Westville Correctional Centre in Durban aims to continue its decade-long streak of a 100% matric pass rate as inmates write their 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. On 15 October, the national matric exams were underway, with 28 inmates from Westville among 268 prisoners nationwide sitting the exams.
The school’s remarkable academic achievement has been a consistent feature since at least 2015. SABC News reported that Westville Correctional Services has maintained a flawless pass record for ten consecutive years, a record officials are determined to uphold this year. According to correctional services sources, the Usethubeni School is proud of this legacy.
National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, visited the school during the exams to encourage the inmates. Speaking at the centre, he highlighted the importance of education in prisoners’ rehabilitation and future reintegration into society.
“The correctional centre’s school has achieved a 100% matric pass rate, a record officials hope to maintain,” an eNCA report citing correctional services officials said.
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has reiterated the value of education for offenders, calling it a “powerful tool for rehabilitation, restoring dignity and preparing offenders for reintegration into society.” He added, “We are here to celebrate resilience, discipline and educational excellence.”
Across South Africa, more than 260 inmates are writing matric exams at 18 correctional centres nationwide. The Department of Correctional Services has prioritised educational opportunities within prisons as part of its rehabilitation agenda, aiming to equip inmates with skills that improve their post-release prospects.
News24 reported that the 2025 inmate matric cohort achieved an overall pass rate of 94.4%, with 15 correctional facility schools achieving a 100% pass rate. Usethubeni’s record stands out as exemplary in this context, underscoring the sustained commitment to quality education behind prison walls.
While the 2026 exam results are not yet confirmed, Westville Correctional Centre and its learners remain hopeful to extend their unbroken run of top results. The sustained success of such programmes reflects broader efforts in South Africa to link education with rehabilitation and social reintegration.
The Cape Flats News journalist will follow up on the release of the 2026 NSC results and report on how Westville’s inmate learners fared in the coming months.