Overview
Charles Mathonsi is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa. It currently enrols 848 learners and is staffed by 24 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 Mopani West education district and achieved an excellent 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 95.2% (119 of 125 candidates).
Charles Mathonsi Secondary School Matric Performance
Since 2023, Charles Mathonsi has remained fairly steady, moving from a 93.8% pass rate to 95.2% in 2025, the most recent year, 125 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 125 | 119 | 95.2% |
| 2024 | 88 | 84 | 95.5% |
| 2023 | 81 | 76 | 93.8% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: CHARLES MATHONSI HIGH (7083102).
Subject pass rates
Charles Mathonsi offered 8 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 95.5%. Physical Sciences performed strongest at 100.0%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 73.3%. 3 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate (Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, English (FAL)).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 15 | 11 |
73.3%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 110 | 102 |
92.7%
|
| Physical Sciences | 15 | 15 |
100.0%
|
| Life Sciences | 28 | 28 |
100.0%
|
| English (FAL) | 125 | 125 |
100.0%
|
| Economics | 110 | 101 |
91.8%
|
| Geography | 125 | 122 |
97.6%
|
| History | 97 | 93 |
95.9%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 27 other secondary schools in Tzaneen.
Charles Mathonsi Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 9.2 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Charles Mathonsi charges no tuition fees. Plan instead for uniforms, stationery and learner transport.
Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.
Fee questions
How much are school fees at Charles Mathonsi for 2027?
Tuition at Charles Mathonsi for the 2027 academic year is R0; the school is officially classified as no-fee (Q3) by the Department of Basic Education in the Mopani West district. Parents may still need to cover uniform and stationery costs; phone 099 for specifics.
Is Charles Mathonsi a no-fee school?
Yes, Charles Mathonsi is officially a no-fee school (Q3), recognised as such by the Department of Basic Education in the Mopani West district. No tuition is charged to any of its 848 learners.
What is the quintile of Charles Mathonsi and what does it mean for fees?
As a Q3 public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in the Mopani West district, Charles Mathonsi is funded entirely by the state under the no-fee policy applied to Quintiles 1 through 3.
How to apply
To enrol your child at Charles Mathonsi, families in Limpopo apply directly at the Charles Mathonsi school office. The exact Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) process in the Mopani West education district is summarised below.
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1
Confirm availability with Charles Mathonsi
Call 099 to confirm whether Charles Mathonsi has open places for the year you're applying.
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2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from Cnr Lydenburg and Letsitele Valley or download it from the Limpopo Department of Education website.
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3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Charles Mathonsi during the school's published admission window.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Charles Mathonsi is a no-fee school (Q3), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
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5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from Charles Mathonsi. If declined, you may appeal at the Mopani West district office under the Limpopo 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 Charles Mathonsi for the next school year?
To apply to Charles Mathonsi for the next academic year, collect and submit the application form directly at Charles Mathonsi. In Limpopo, applications are completed at the school and processed via the circuit office. For confirmation of available places, contact Charles Mathonsi via phone 099.
What documents do I need to apply at Charles Mathonsi?
Charles Mathonsi requires the following documents for admission: • 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) Contact Charles Mathonsi (phone 099) for any school-specific requirements.