By Lerato Mutlanyane
Hailing from Bloemfontein, the City of Roses, Palesa “Lisa S” Sentso is stepping into her own spotlight — and bringing a sound that refuses to be boxed in. First known as part of the duo Harmonic Squared, which made waves on the Bloem music scene in 2018, Lisa S has since evol...
The Department of Basic Education plans to review whether the progression and promotion programme in schools is still achieving their intended goals.
This review will focus on all the requirements, including the policies that dictate the conditions under which pupils can pass or be promoted from each grade.
During a meeting with members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) this week, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube said the progression matter will be one of the issues that she will be setting up. The department is set to table its budget today.
While briefing the NCOP members, Minister Gwarube highlighted the importance of improving the state and quality of education in the country.
“As a sector, we also need to take an honest look at how we can strengthen public trust in our public schooling system, taking into account the growth of independent schools and notable increases in home education registrations,” she stated.
She mentioned that part of this review will involve examining various aspects to reduce the administrative burdens on teachers.
“I will activate an advisory body, the National Education and Training Council, in the coming weeks to advise me on a range of matters that are relevant here. “This advisory body will review the resourcing model for public schools, explore ways to reduce administrative burdens on teachers, and consider whether the progression and promotion requirements remain fit for purpose,” she said.
The minister’s spokesperson, Lukhanyo Vangqa, stated that the council will look at a range of issues. “There are a number of promotion requirements in our system, including performance requirements in the home language and minimum marks for three subjects. All these will be subject to review by the new National Education and Training Council. “We are not targeting any particular provision but reviewing with the intention of strengthening the system.”
Education expert Professor Labby Ramrathan asserted that the progression policies are still valid.
“These policies are set up for two reasons: first, if a child fails more than once, they are progressed through the other classes; and second.
“The policy was established to address key issues, such as a high population of pupils but low school infrastructure. We have few teachers and few schools. If a child fails, that creates specific issues. For instance, having a 22-year-old still in high school can lead to problems like bullying.
“Therefore, these policies are in place to ensure age-appropriate progression. Furthermore, these are not unique to South Africa; they are global policies,” he said. He noted that the negative perception surrounding these policies stems from a lack of communication.
“The public outcry suggests that if a student receives 30%, they pass. That is not the case; they are being progressed provided they have passed other subjects. Remember there are key subjects that each pupil must pass to progress.”
Speaking on the issue of teacher workload, the professor expressed concern about the strict accountability regime in schools that detracts from teachers’ time for marking and lesson preparation. He suggested that this could be addressed to streamline education for greater efficiency.
Sibusiso Malinga of the National Teachers’ Union (Natu) welcomed any initiative aimed at improving the quality of education. "If they want to review the progression and promotion requirements for pupils, we welcome that. We believe it is a good idea, and we will engage with them once they have tabled a working document."
However, he expressed scepticism about the proposed plan to reduce the administrative workload on teachers. “To us, this is merely lip service at present. Every minister that has come before her has known that teachers in schools are overloaded with work.
“Reducing that means they have to come up with funding. Even if they have a budget increase this year, it is not enough to undo the damage caused by budget cuts over the past few years. “The provinces do not have the resources to hire more teachers or create more classrooms — things that would be required to ease the workload on teachers,” he said
August is set to bring more fuel price pain for those who operate diesel vehicles, with a significant under-recovery currently developing on that fuel, but petrol could still see a small reduction.
The latest daily snapshot from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows a significant under-recovery on diesel that could result in price hikes in the region of 60 cents or more if current trends persist.
However, petrol is showing an over-recovery of 20 cents for 95 Unleaded and 24 cents for 93 Unleaded.
Over- and under-recoveries form when the underlying costs of fuel, such as international oil prices and exchange rates, fluctuate. These discrepancies, compared to the current prices, are then built into the following month’s fuel price adjustments.
July saw the price of petrol rise by between 52 cents and 55 cents, while diesel went up by between 82 cents and 84 cents. This followed four consecutive months of price decreases.
If the current August predictions materialise, 95 Unleaded will cost R20.88 at the coast and R21.67 in Gauteng, where 93 ULP will cost around R21.55. The wholesale price of 50ppm diesel will rise to around R19.25 at the coast and R20.01 inland.
The current fuel price outlook is driven primarily by international product prices, with diesel currently seeing a deficit of 68 cents. A stronger rand is helping to soften the blow, however, adding seven to eight cents of relief to the equation.
International Brent Crude oil prices were hovering around $70 on July 10, slightly above the $69.36 average of the previous review period that determined July’s fuel prices.
Oil rallied earlier in July after Iran suspended its cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog. This, analysts said, increased the possibility of further conflict between Iran and Israel.
Delivering his budget vote address in Parliament on Wednesday, Motsoaledi said the new central hospitals would be located in Mpumalanga, the North-West and Northern Cape.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the planning for three new district hospitals is in the very early stages to address chronic overcrowding at many facilities.
Delivering his budget vote address in Parliament on Wednesday, Motsoaledi said the new central hospitals would be located in Mpumalanga, the North-West and Northern Cape.
As ActionSA called for limits to be placed on foreign nationals seeking medical assistance, Motsoaledi said the strain on public facilities was a result of a growing population.
Motsoaledi said six new hospitals are at varying stages of construction to reduce the high demand in Gauteng, but also in underserved areas.
But former doctor turned ActionSA Member of Parliament (MP) Kgosi Letlape said his party wants the constitution to be amended to limit foreign nationals' access to health facilities.
“Section27 should not talk about everyone. It’s not time to be ‘Father Christmas’ when our people are suffering. It should be specific to citizens. Our hospitals are being overrun by people from elsewhere.”
But Motsoaledi said 86% of facilities are being used by South Africans, and that rapid urbanisation is contributing to overburdened facilities.
However, he said new hospitals will take several years to plan, design, construct and commission.
“If we do nothing, the demeaning scenes we see often on national TV, like the pregnant women sleeping on floors and chairs, will unfortunately be the order of the day.”
Motsoaledi said the government will also have to borrow money from international and local financial financing institutions to realise its plans of building more hospitals.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
At the weekend, Mkhwanazi made jaw-dropping allegations, saying his team of detectives had uncovered a syndicate operating within the police’s higher structures.
The national South African Police Service (SAPS) has revealed its KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has been receiving threats since his bombshell media briefing.
At the weekend, Mkhwanazi made jaw-dropping allegations, saying his team of detectives had uncovered a syndicate operating within the police’s higher structures.
SAPS national leadership addressed some of these allegations during a media briefing on Wednesday at Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg.
During his media briefing, Mkhwanazi said he was aware that going public with his allegations would put him in the crosshairs of some very dangerous people.
Masemola said security at Mkhwanazi’s home has been beefed up.
“Well, in terms of physical protection, he’s been getting threats to his life in that province; we have beefed up his security.”
Masemola said he didn’t take issue with Mkhwanazi’s media briefing.
“He won’t be persecuted. From my side, there won’t be persecution of any member of SAPS - not only him, but anyone.”
Masemola said the next step in this saga will be announced once he has briefed President Cyril Ramaphosa.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, says the looming export tariff hike by the United States on South Africa shows the country needs urgent reforms.
US President, Donald Trump, announced a 30% tariff on South African exports to the US effective from August 1.
Steenhuisen says there is still time to negotiate before the tariffs kick in.
He was delivering his department’s R7,6 billion Budget Vote in Parliament,
“Whilst we can breathe a sigh of relief that this tariff did not come into effect as it was due to tomorrow, it does give us an opportunity to urgently use the next few weeks to try and negotiate a way forward to prevent this. Whilst not explicit, the announcement would signal the end of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gives South Africa duty free access to the US for more than 6,000 products, including goods and automobiles, agricultural and textile industries. The agriculture sector remains particularly exposed in the areas of citrus, wine, nuts and table grapes. Now more than ever, it highlights the need for urgent reform in South Africa,” says Steenhuisen.
SA government react on Trump’s tariffs: Sherwin Bryce-Pease unpacks this latest announcement
Economic experts react to the 30% tariff imposed by US:
The Isipingo ratepayers and businesses called for regular clean-up campaigns in the business district and residential area to rid it of crime and grime.
The eThekwini Municipality held what it dubbed Operation Gijima, covering areas including Orient Hills, Isipingo Beach, and Isipingo Hills in Ward 90. The operation aims to address service delivery challenges in the ward, as stated by the municipality on Wednesday.
Several businesses were visited as part of the operation to assess health and safety compliance, as well as to ensure owners were trading with a business licence.
According to the municipality, officials confiscated expired food items being sold and issued fines for non-compliance. The operation also addressed service delivery challenges and saw blocked stormwater drains cleared, illegal dumps removed, water leaks repaired, and illegal electricity connections removed.
The municipality stated that as part of the operation, four people were arrested for failing to produce documents allowing them to be in the country legally.
Sunildutt Ramadhar, spokesperson for the Isipingo Ratepayers and Residents Association (IRRA), said the ongoing interventions in the ward were welcomed after a meeting was held with the municipality over poor service delivery in February 2025.
Ramadhar said a planning meeting was held with the area-based management officials to track this initiative.
“The clean-up operation is going on well, but we will still face the recurring problem of daily illegal dumping. Vacant land needs to be fenced off. We need a dumpsite to prevent this. We are working closely with officials to deal with undocumented people living or trading in the area,” he said.
Junaid Iqbal, chairperson of the Isipingo Business Forum, welcomed the clean-up but also emphasised the need to promptly clear blocked sewer pipelines regularly, find a solution for public transport off-peak parking, and road markings.
“Blocked drains are a consistent problem. There should also be an education drive to prevent people from littering on the pavements and sidewalks,” he said.
Businessman Aidan David said the operation is long overdue and hoped that this time around, the service delivery issues would be given the priority that they deserve.
David called for an overhaul of the entire drainage system and sewer system in Ward 90, which was built decades ago.
He hoped it would be upgraded due to the vast number of dwellings that sprang up over the years.
“I also hope that solutions are forthcoming for the community. The municipality's drainage non-compliance poses significant risks during heavy rainfall and causes major flooding in a lot of areas of Isipingo. I welcome the initiative, and I thank the team that has decided to do a sterling job to finally fix what is broken rather than interfere with what is working fine in Ward 90,” David said.
