Overview
Zimele Senior Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Umata, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 2,172 learners and is staffed by 62 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 35:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q3. It falls within the Or Tambo Inland education district and achieved an excellent 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 95.7% (337 of 352 candidates).
Zimele Senior Secondary School Matric Performance
Zimele Senior Secondary School's NSC pass rate has improved over the past 3 years, from 80.8% in 2023 to 95.7% in 2025 (352 candidates writing in 2025).
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 352 | 337 | 95.7% |
| 2024 | 320 | 264 | 82.5% |
| 2023 | 370 | 299 | 80.8% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: Zimele High School (4291096).
Subject pass rates
Zimele Senior Secondary School offered 11 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 94.7%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 100.0%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 76.5%. 4 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate.
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 277 | 212 |
76.5%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 75 | 73 |
97.3%
|
| Physical Sciences | 230 | 217 |
94.3%
|
| Life Sciences | 230 | 225 |
97.8%
|
| English (FAL) | 352 | 352 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 81 | 81 |
100.0%
|
| Business Studies | 47 | 47 |
100.0%
|
| Economics | 122 | 117 |
95.9%
|
| Geography | 141 | 140 |
99.3%
|
| History | 130 | 130 |
100.0%
|
| Agricultural Sciences | 75 | 73 |
97.3%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 52 other secondary schools in Mthatha.
Zimele Senior Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 14.5 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Zimele Senior Secondary School charges no tuition fees. Plan instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and outings.
Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.
Fee questions
How much are school fees at Zimele Senior Secondary School for 2027?
Zimele Senior Secondary School is a no-fee public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in Umata, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, so parents pay no tuition fees for 2027. All 2,172 enrolled learners attend at no charge. Budget instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and excursions. For voluntary contributions or admission fees, phone 082 757 5953.
Is Zimele Senior Secondary School a no-fee school?
Zimele Senior Secondary School is classified no-fee under Q3 and forms part of the state-funded schools serving Umata, Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Parents pay no tuition fees.
What is the quintile of Zimele Senior Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
Zimele Senior Secondary School is a Q3 school, the lowest of three quintile bands designated as "no-fee" under the SA Schools Act. Serving the Umata, Mthatha, Eastern Cape community in the Or Tambo Inland district, it receives full state funding and parents are not charged tuition.
How to apply
Zimele Senior Secondary School accepts applications directly at the Zimele Senior Secondary School school office in the Or Tambo Inland education district. The steps and documents required for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are detailed below.
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1
Confirm availability with Zimele Senior Secondary School
Call 082 757 5953 to confirm whether Zimele Senior Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
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2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from 29 Mnukwana Street,Kwezi,Mthatha,5099 or download it from the Eastern Cape Department of Education website.
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3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Zimele Senior Secondary School during the school's published admission window.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Zimele Senior Secondary School is a no-fee school (Q3), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
-
5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from Zimele Senior Secondary School. If declined, you may appeal at the Or Tambo Inland district office under the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
- Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID
- Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens)
- Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months)
- Latest school report
- Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1)
- Most recent end-of-year report from the previous school
- Transfer letter from the previous school (for Grade 8+ transfers)
Admissions questions
How do I apply to Zimele Senior Secondary School for the next school year?
Zimele Senior Secondary School processes applications at the school office. In the Eastern Cape, applications are made directly at the school office and confirmed by the district. Reach the school directly via phone 082 757 5953 to confirm openings in the Or Tambo Inland district.
What documents do I need to apply at Zimele Senior Secondary School?
When applying to Zimele Senior Secondary School, you'll typically need: • Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID • Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens) • Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months) • Latest school report • Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1) Additional items may be requested by Zimele Senior Secondary School depending on the grade; confirm via phone 082 757 5953.