Overview
Sobonakhona High School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It currently enrols 901 learners and is staffed by 25 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 36:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q3. It falls within the Umlazi education district and achieved an excellent 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 100.0% (70 of 70 candidates).
Sobonakhona High School Matric Performance
Sobonakhona High School's NSC pass rate has remained fairly steady over the past 3 years, from 100.0% in 2023 to 100.0% in 2025 (70 candidates writing in 2025).
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 70 | 70 | 100.0% |
| 2024 | 74 | 74 | 100.0% |
| 2023 | 54 | 54 | 100.0% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: SOBONAKHONA S (5411336).
Subject pass rates
Sobonakhona High School offered 10 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 95.8%. Physical Sciences performed strongest at 100.0%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 55.6%. 7 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate. 1 subject fell below a 60% pass rate (Mathematics).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 18 | 10 |
55.6%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 52 | 48 |
92.3%
|
| Physical Sciences | 18 | 18 |
100.0%
|
| Life Sciences | 18 | 17 |
94.4%
|
| English (FAL) | 70 | 70 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 25 | 25 |
100.0%
|
| Business Studies | 25 | 25 |
100.0%
|
| Economics | 43 | 43 |
100.0%
|
| Geography | 18 | 18 |
100.0%
|
| History | 26 | 26 |
100.0%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 5 other secondary schools in Umbumbulu.
Sobonakhona High School's 2025 pass rate is 7.0 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Sobonakhona High School 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 Sobonakhona High School for 2027?
Sobonakhona High School is a no-fee public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal, so parents pay no tuition fees for 2027. All 901 enrolled learners attend at no charge. Budget instead for uniforms, stationery and transport. For voluntary contributions or admission fees, phone 081 780 7585.
Is Sobonakhona High School a no-fee school?
Sobonakhona High School is classified no-fee under Q3 and forms part of the state-funded schools serving Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal. Parents pay no tuition fees.
What is the quintile of Sobonakhona High School and what does it mean for fees?
Sobonakhona High School is a Q3 school, the lowest of three quintile bands designated as "no-fee" under the SA Schools Act. Serving the Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal community in the Umlazi district, it receives full state funding and parents are not charged tuition.
How to apply
To enrol your child at Sobonakhona High School, families in KwaZulu-Natal apply directly with Sobonakhona High School and confirmed through the KZN Department of Education. The exact Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) process in the Umlazi education district is summarised below.
-
1
Confirm availability with Sobonakhona High School
Call 081 780 7585 to confirm whether Sobonakhona High School has open places for the year you're applying.
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2
Start the application
Register your details with the KZN Department of Education and submit the application form directly at Sobonakhona High School.
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3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Sobonakhona High School during the school's published admission window.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Sobonakhona High School 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 Sobonakhona High School. If declined, you may appeal at the Umlazi district office under the KZN 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 Sobonakhona High School for the next school year?
Sobonakhona High School processes applications through the KZN Department of Education and at the school. In KZN, applications are submitted directly to the school and confirmed via the KZN DoE district office. Reach the school directly via phone 081 780 7585 to confirm openings in the Umlazi district.
What documents do I need to apply at Sobonakhona High School?
When applying to Sobonakhona High 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 Sobonakhona High School depending on the grade; confirm via phone 081 780 7585.