22 September 2026
(Feature photo: Kearsney’s Dux Yusuf Badat with his parents, Mohamed and Ayesha, and Headmaster Patrick Lees. Photo: Tamlyn Gabin).
Kearsney College‘s Matric class of 2026 has maintained the school’s strong academic tradition, with 33 percent achieving an aggregate of more than 75 percent.
Yusuf Badat was named Dux of the 2026 Matric class at Kearsney’s annual Valediction Ceremony on Friday in Botha’s Hill. He achieved Academic Honours Cum Laude, awarded to pupils attaining an aggregate of more than 86 percent, and received subject prizes for Physical Science and Afrikaans.
Runner-up Bjorn Kruger also achieved Academic Honours Cum Laude, along with an impressive array of subject prizes for Music, Visual Arts, and Dramatic Arts.
In addition, he was awarded the trophy for Resourcefulness and Initiative, recognising his contribution and achievements beyond the academic sphere.
Liam Botha was awarded the coveted Best All-Rounder trophy in the Sixth Form, recognising his outstanding achievements across academics, leadership, sport, and the arts. He also achieved Academic Honours Cum Laude, served as Head of House, and captained Kearsney’s 1st squash team.
Adding to his impressive list of accomplishments, Liam was a member of Kearsney’s international award-winning choir, which successfully toured Hong Kong in July.
Seventeen matric boys achieved Academic Honours Cum Laude, which is an incredible 12 percent of those writing their matric exams this year.
In addition to Yusuf Badat, Bjorn Kruger, and Liam Botha, Matthew Behrens, Jason Denekamp, Nathan Hotchkiss, Connor van Heerden, Nevaal Arbee, Conor McKeown, Siseko Phungula, Rhys Hughes, Thomas Blomfield, Benjamin Hancock, Nicholas Kohler, Matthew Asbury, Jack Stroh, and Oliver Moore-Gordon all achieved over 86 percent.
Academic Honours (80-85 percent) were awarded to Kai McCormick, Shekhar Soni, Wandile Sibisi, Jonty Wiggett, Thomas Buchan, Cameron Nel, Mpumelelo Mkhize, Christiaan Venter, Aaron Huson, and Tristan Louw.
Luhluthando Ndlovu, Ethan McCluskey, Sethembele Cindi, Oliver Mowat, Ruan Vandenheede, Rourke Stacey, Michael Hean, Bryce Seidler, Michael Lang, Msimelelo Mgwili, Thando Marafane, Bulumko Mahlasela, Davor Curach, Bandzile Maseko, Troy Vermeulen, Riordan Govender, Benjamin Schneemann, Jesse de Jager, Noah Stewart, and Zach Emanuel were awarded Academic Colours (75-79 percent).