# Parliament’s Education portfolio committee warns much remains to be done to implement the BELA Act as parents prepare for the 2027 school year. The Act makes Grade R compulsory and changes admissions and language policies. The Department of Education reported 11-thousand-715 admission-policy reviews and 11-thousand-657 language-policy reviews from schools are outstanding. Committee Chair Joy […]
# The Durban High Court ordered eThekwini Municipality in Kwa-Zulu Natal to set aside three manager appointments after a tainted selection process. The DA challenged the appointments, accusing the municipality of rushing the process and bypassing legislation. Bhekinkosi Mkhize was hired as director for Safety despite lacking the law degree, holding only an honours degree […]
# Agricultural Business Chamber’s Wandile Sihlobo says employment in the agricultural sector fell by about four-percent between the second and third quarters of 2026, but the sector remains resilient. South Africa’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 33.7-percent in the third quarter, up from 33.6-percent in the previous quarter, according to Statistics South Africa. Sihlobo says […]
# Forum4SA questions president Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to grant public office-bearers salary increases of 3.5-percent to four-percent for 2026/27, backdated to 1 April 2026. While acknowledging the Independent Commission’s role, spokesperson Tebogo Mashilompane says the increases are unjustified amid unemployment, poverty, rising living costs and poor service delivery. They call on the Presidency and Parliament […]
# Swimming: The Freedom Front Plus will ask Sports minister Gayton McKenzie to intervene urgently after Tatjana Smith announced she will swim for the Netherlands. South Africa’s most decorated Olympian is targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, saying she feels excluded and neglected. Smith fought through lawyers for 578-thousand-rand prize money from the 2023 Fukuoka […]
# AZAPO condemns the Government of National Unity as unemployment rose to 33.7-percent in the third quarter of 2026. Statistics South Africa says the number of unemployed people increased by 97-thousand to 8.6-million, despite 101-thousand jobs being created. AZAPO spokesperson Phakamisile Mooi says the organisation regards unemployment as an indictment of the GNU’s failed economic […]
# The Joburg Alliance has urged parties to respect voters and put residents first in coalition talks after last week’s elections. Turnout rose from 42.1-percent in 2021 to 52.8-percent, with 1.28-million of 2.42-million registered voters casting ballots. No party won the 136 seats needed for a majority in the metro. The DA won 91 seats, […]
# Home Affairs expanded smart ID services to 753 bank branches, exceeding its target of 750. Minister Leon Schreiber says over one-million South Africans have used the service since its launch in March. The footprint has grown from 214 Home Affairs offices to 967 locations, an increase of over 350-percent in 246 days. Schreiber says […]
# South Africa marks Disability Rights Awareness Month from 3 November to 3 December. Gauteng Health is strengthening rehabilitation services and access to devices. Under the theme Creating Multi-Sectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society, the department issued 51-thousand-866 prostheses, orthoses and walking aids in 2025/26, up 23-percent from 42-thousand-258. Spokesperson Steve Mabona says services are […]
