Ethan Naicker named KwaZulu-Natal's top matric achiever at provincial awards
Ethan Naicker from Port Shepstone Secondary School in the South of KwaZulu-Natal flanked by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Dr Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, the Deputy Minister of Basic Education,was named the province's top matric achiever at provincial awards at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Internatioanl Convention Centre in Durban.
Image: Supplied
Ethan Naicker, 18, from Port Shepstone Secondary School, was honoured as KwaZulu-Natal's top matric achiever at the provincial matric awards ceremony held on Tuesday.
Naicker's academic journey has been characterised by consistent growth and resilience. In his address to provincial leadership, MECs, principals, educators, parents, and fellow top achievers, he described the moment as a significant milestone.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to speak on behalf of this absolutely outstanding class,” he stated.
He shared that the moment still feels surreal, expressing disbelief at becoming the top achiever.
“I am still trying to let it sink in, still trying to process the whole experience; I just can't believe I became the number one student,” Naicker remarked.
According to his citation, Naicker demonstrated sustained academic improvement throughout his time at Port Shepstone Secondary School, overcoming personal challenges with determination and discipline.
From an early age, he developed a strong curiosity for learning, with particular strengths in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. His academic profile reflects strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking, which contributed to his steady progress from primary through secondary school.
In his address, Naicker reflected on the collective experience of the matric class of 2025, acknowledging the difficulties they faced.
“I think we can all agree that 2025 was not an easy year,” he said.
“It had its ups, it had its downs, and it had a lot of grey areas, but we persevered.”
He spoke candidly about the emotional and mental demands of the year, noting that success often comes at a cost.
“There were many nights filled with hard work, tears, and times when we wanted to quit. But we stuck it through and arrived at this moment,” he added.
Naicker emphasised that academic success is rarely achieved in isolation, expressing gratitude to those who supported the learners throughout their journeys. He thanked families and friends “for the support they provided us along the way and for pushing us forward, even when we doubted ourselves.”
He also acknowledged the vital role played by schools, commending “our principals and educators for being our, so to speak, lighthouses when our academic paths went astray.”
He extended his appreciation to the provincial authorities, adding, “Most importantly, thank you to the KZN Department of Education for inviting us all here for this incredible honour.”
As he concluded, Naicker reminded his peers that matric marks the end of one chapter, not the entirety of their journey.
“While this chapter of our lives may be over, there’s still much more to come,” he urged the class of 2025.
“So, power up those engines, go full steam ahead, and do amazing things, as I’m sure we are all capable of.”