Basic Education Minister saddened by fatal scholar transport accident
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has expressed deep sadness following a tragic motor vehicle accident that occurred on Monday morning, involving a vehicle transporting learners to school, in which several learners lost their lives.
The Minister extended her heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, classmates and school communities of the learners who perished in the devastating incident. She conveyed her wishes for strength and comfort to all those affected during this profoundly difficult time.
In a statement on Monday, the Minister said she was personally informed by the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, that he is attending to the matter together with relevant authorities and emergency services. The MEC will continue to keep the Minister informed as further details become available.
“The Department of Basic Education stands ready to provide psychosocial support to affected learners, educators and families, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Education,” the statement read.
As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, the Minister has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly during peak school transport hours. She reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety and roadworthiness of all vehicles used to transport learners.
The department said that further updates will be communicated as information is confirmed. – SAnews.gov.za
As universities in South Africa prepare to admit a new group of students, thousands of young people from rural parts of the country hope for a life-changing opportunity.
In 2023, public universities enrolled 258,778 first-time students. Demand is intense; for example, the University of Johannesburg received 358,992 applications for just 10,500 first-year spaces in 2025.
A substantial proportion of these new students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is often the only key to unlocking post-school education. The scheme supports students from families earning less than R350,000 a year (about US$21,000) and has a target of 850,000 students. It is supposed to cover fees, accommodation, a living allowance, transport and learning materials.
Yet for many rural students, this key fails to turn the lock.
One student’s rural village.Hellen Agumba, Author provided (no reuse)
The number of students from rural areas who secure university placements cannot be determined. Neither the Council on Higher Education nor the Department of Higher Education systematically tracks students’ geographic origins. But what research does show is that students from rural areas face challenges beyond financial constraints.
My research on higher education access and learning experiences, particularly among marginalised students, has explored the reasons and consequences.
The conversation around financial aid rightly focuses on administrative crises: devastating payment delays and operational failures that erode trust. These are human catastrophes. But I’ve found that for rural students, these problems are only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath lies a deeper web of challenges.
Financial aid is crucial but it cannot compensate for systemic disadvantages that begin long before students reach campus and persist throughout their studies.
My research, involving in-depth interviews with rural students, shows the “hidden costs” they bear. Their struggle begins with limited access to information. This constrains their educational choices. Then they may not feel really comfortable to participate in the classroom and make social connections. And their financial situation influences both academic performance and social belonging.
Even when rural students graduate, many describe feeling they have survived higher education rather than thrived in it.
The experiences they shared with me reveal how these challenges interconnect throughout their university journey. Their stories also point to ways of improving rural students’ participation in higher education.
Listening to rural students
My qualitative study consisted of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 18 rural students (10 of them female), aged 19-25 at a university in Johannesburg. All participants came from former homeland areas across four provinces – the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga – a pattern reflecting apartheid’s enduring geographic legacy. They were studying fields ranging from education to engineering; 13 of the 18 were first-generation university students, and all were Black African. Their demographic profile was typical of deeply rural students accessing higher education through programmes like NSFAS.
The deliberate selection criteria and consistency of their experiences reveals systemic patterns.
One of the participants, Philip (all names have been changed) from Limpopo, described the sheer physical distance of his home from university:
I pass Polokwane (a city 320km from Johannesburg) and go deep to the rural villages until Giyani (a small town over 150km further on) … then from Giyani I have to catch a taxi to my village … you are far away from universities.
A study participant’s description of his village.source, Author provided (no reuse)
While urban students attend open days to learn about the courses on offer and careers, those in remote villages are left in the dark. As one participant, Terry, observed:
During open day for UJ (University of Johannesburg) … it’s mostly model C schools.“ (These are better resourced high schools which were reserved for white learners during apartheid.) I have never seen someone (there) from rural background.
This isolation limits career awareness to visible rural professions like teaching and nursing.
Sef’s story is telling:
I didn’t know anything about the courses offered … I only know teaching and these professions that you see in the village.
After a costly false start, she found her path to engineering only through a chance family conversation.
In South Africa, many students scrape together a registration fee, gambling that full funding will materialise. And without guidance on accommodation deadlines, they might arrive in the city to find university residences full and be forced into expensive or unsafe private housing.
Jane explained:
We will come and look for accommodation in February … When we get there, we find that the residence is already full.
While universities technically provide accommodation information, it is often buried in lengthy online registration documents that assume students have reliable internet access and familiarity with university processes.
The result is a financial strain from day one. For students like Kate, who was mugged commuting from distant, off-campus housing, the consequences are academic and psychological:
At the end of the year, I didn’t pass that well and as a result I lost my sponsor.
Upon arrival, they face a second battle: cultural and geographic alienation. They enter a space privileging urban, middle-class norms. Participants spoke of being teased for their accents and dress.
This brings us back to NSFAS. Its administrative failures hit rural students hardest.
For a student who barely registered, a delayed allowance is a crisis. It means missing lectures, relying on food parcels, and impossible choices between education and supporting families.
Since January we’re still waiting … Sometimes I don’t have money to come to school. I have to miss lectures.
The funding, when it comes, doesn’t cover the true cost. It ignores higher travel costs, expensive data to compensate for remoteness, and the burden of unexpected private accommodation.
The higher education system has focused too long on the narrow goal of access: getting students through the gate. True equity is about ensuring they can thrive as peers inside. The current student financing model is a blunt remedy: it provides cash but leaves the underlying structures of exclusion untouched.
How to change it
My research suggests some steps that could help rural students.
Fix the fundamentals with rural students in mind: Students need a competent, reliable financial aid scheme. Payment timelines must be guaranteed, with emergency support for rural students during delays.
Early outreach: Universities and government must take information to deep rural areas through mobile career services and application support long before final high school exams that determine university entrance.
Fund the full experience: Bursary calculations must be nuanced to cover the real, higher costs borne by rural students, including travel, data and safe accommodation.
Create culturally inclusive campuses: Universities must actively combat assumptions that rural students are “underprepared” or “lacking” essential skills. They can do this through staff training, peer mentorship, and curricula that value different kinds of knowledge.
The dreams of rural students are stifled by a system blind to their reality. Ensuring timely funding is the bare minimum. They need a system that doesn’t just let them in but truly welcomes them and sets them up for success.
– Getting into university is only the first hurdle for students from rural South Africa. Here’s what comes next – https://theconversation.com/getting-into-university-is-only-the-first-hurdle-for-students-from-rural-south-africa-heres-what-comes-next-271532
President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon, Monday, 19 January 2026, visit Nkomazi Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to assess the extent of the damage caused by the floods and the response of Government.
The President will commence the visit at Mjejana, Nkomazi Local Municipality, after 14h00.
The National Disaster Management Centre officially classified the inclement weather, which has respectively ravaged Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape Provinces, as a national disaster, following loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, displacement of communities, disruption to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.
The President has expressely shared that his thoughts are with families who have lost loved ones, people who have been injured and individuals, businesses and organisations who have lost property.
Furthermore, the President hailed first responders, volunteers and humanitarian organisations for their emphatic coordinated response to the devastation across affected provinces.
President Ramaphosa will monitor the state of the disaster response at flood affected areas at the Nkomazi Local Municipality, accompanied by Mpumalanga Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, senior Government officials and representatives of the National Disaster Management Centre.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za
Network International (Network) (https://www.Network.ae), a leading fintech company in the Middle East and Africa, has signed a strategic processing agreement with Saudi Sudanese Bank, one of Sudan’s prominent financial institutions. The partnership marks an important milestone in Network International’s expansion in the country, reinforcing its commitment to driving modern, secure, and inclusive payment infrastructure across the region.
Under the agreement, Network International will provide Saudi Sudanese Bank with a full suite of end-to-end digital payment processing services, including Mastercard Sponsorship, prepaid issuing, and a range of value-added services designed to support the bank’s digital ambitions.
Saudi Sudanese Bank has created a strong foundation for cross-border economic activity. Building on this progress, the strategic partnership with Network will introduce advanced fintech solutions to modernise the local financial ecosystem, improve trade settlement efficiency, and create new investment channels between the two markets.
The collaboration, formalised during Cairo ICT 2025, also strengthens Saudi Sudanese Bank’s mission to transform its digital capabilities, elevate customer experience, and contribute to the continued development of Sudan’s financial ecosystem. Saudi Sudanese Bank partnered with Network, underscoring the company’s strong reputation, scale, and record of delivering reliable, future-ready payment solutions across the region.
Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director, Processing, Africa at Network International, said: “Our partnership with Saudi Sudanese Bank represents an important step in advancing Sudan’s digital payments infrastructure. As the trusted partner to leading financial institutions across the region, we’re committed to delivering world-class processing capabilities that help banks accelerate transformation and unlock sustainable growth. By bringing our advanced solutions to Saudi Sudanese Bank, we’re not only supporting their strategy – we’re helping shape the future of payments in Sudan.”
Osama Ali Ibrahim, CEO of Saudi Sudanese Bank, added: “Partnering with Network International, an industry leader with a proven track record across Africa and beyond, is a major step in our journey to modernise Sudan’s banking landscape. Network’s expertise and comprehensive digital payments platform will allow us to introduce faster, safer, and more accessible financial products to our customers. This agreement empowers us to build a more inclusive, digitally enabled banking environment that supports Sudan’s long-term economic development.”
This partnership forms part of Network International’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Sudan and expand its support to financial institutions seeking reliable, scalable digital payment solutions. It reinforces the company’s position as the partner of choice for banks across the region as they pursue innovation, efficiency, and enhanced customer experience.
About Network International:
Network International is the Middle East and Africa’s leading fintech company. Our purpose is to help businesses and economies grow by simplifying payments and commerce. We serve a diverse ecosystem of banks, fintechs, telcos, merchants, governments, and public sector entities spanning 50+ countries – empowering our partners with innovative technology, value-added services, and deep expertise in payment systems and infrastructure. Our 3,000+ team strength on the ground works closely with 250+ financial institutions and 240,000+ merchants to deliver reliable, scalable, and future-ready payment and fintech solutions across the region.
About Saudi Sudanese Bank:
The Saudi Sudanese Bank was established on the 1st of February 1984 and began its banking activities on 25 of October 1986.
Saudi Sudanese Bank is considered one of the leading banks in Sudan that provides high quality of banking products and services.
The Bank is playing a major role in strengthening the relationship between Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which led to enrich of trade and investment between the two countries.
The bank is using the latest banking systems and has a wide network of correspondents globally and a network of branches extending across Sudan.
President Ramaphosa visits flood-stricken areas in Mpumalanga
President Cyril Ramaphosa is this afternoon visiting Nkomazi Local Municipality in Mpumalanga to assess the extent of the damage caused by the floods and the response of government.
The President will commence the visit in Mjejana, Nkomazi Local Municipality, after 14h00 this afternoon.
The National Disaster Management Centre officially classified the inclement weather — which has ravaged Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the North West, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape — as a national disaster, following loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, displacement of communities, disruption to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.
The President has expressly shared that his thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, people who have been injured, and individuals, businesses and organisations who have lost property.
Furthermore, the President hailed first responders, volunteers and humanitarian organisations for their emphatic coordinated response to the devastation across affected provinces.
President Ramaphosa will monitor the state of the disaster response at flood affected areas at the Nkomazi Local Municipality, accompanied by Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, senior government officials and representatives of the National Disaster Management Centre. – SAnews.gov.za
Central Application Service Guide: Helping prospective students to access higher education
Prospective students, who need guidance in accessing the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system, are encouraged to make use of the Central Application Service (CAS).
The Department of Higher and Training (DHET) had previously introduced the Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) as a short-term intervention to match unplaced applicants with available spaces. However, from the 2026 academic year, CACH will be discontinued as part of broader reforms to the PSET application process, while CAS is rolled out.
CAS is a pilot project implemented by DHET to provide the following services for aspiring learners, who wish to undertake undergraduate studies at any PSET institution in South Africa.
Its services include:
Career Information.
Career Guidance and Counselling Referral.
Centralised Application Service.
Application Clearing Service.
More information can be found on the link provided above. – SAnews.gov.za
MEC Chiloane devastated after scholar transport incident claims 13
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed his deep devastation, following a tragic scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark on Monday morning, which claimed the lives of 13 learners.
Preliminary reports indicate that the incident occurred at approximately 7am when a private scholar transport vehicle collided with a side tipper truck on Fred Droste Road in Vanderbijlpark.
According to authorities, 11 learners were certified dead at the scene, with two additional learners succumbing to injuries in hospital. The injured learners are being treated at local medical facilities. The taxi driver is reportedly also hospitalised, while details regarding the truck driver remain uncertain.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC Matome Chiloane visited the tragic scene to assess the situation, offer support to the affected families, and engage with emergency services.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
“It really is a tragic day for us as the department and the province. We extend our deepest condolences to the learners, families, and school communities affected. We call for greater vigilance when it comes to scholar transports, particularly private scholar transport,” MEC Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za
President mourns deaths in Cape flats violence and scholar transport crash
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the loss of life resulting from violent incidents on the Cape Flats over the weekend and in a tragic collision involving a scholar transport vehicle, near Vanderbijlpark, on Monday morning.
At least 26 people were killed in incidents of violence on the Cape Flats since Friday, while 11 learners lost their lives when the scholar transport vehicle in which they were travelling collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark.
The President conveyed his deepest sympathies to the families, communities and loved ones affected by the tragedies, and reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with citizens and community-based organisations to protect lives.
Addressing the violence in the Western Cape, President Ramaphosa said affected communities could expect strengthened law enforcement operations and increased police visibility aimed at stabilising communities and preventing further violence.
He acknowledged the fear and intimidation experienced by residents as a result of criminal activity and called on communities to strengthen their partnerships with law enforcement agencies through community policing forums.
The President urged residents to provide information to the police on an ongoing basis, including information relating to neighbours or family members involved in criminal activity, to ensure that communities become unsafe for criminals.
“With the assistance of community members, the South African Police Service has been able to arrest 100 gang leaders and 106 runners in the past three months,” the President said.
He assured residents that government is implementing a balanced approach that combines immediate interventions to prevent and respond to violence with long-term socio-economic programmes aimed at improving living conditions and social stability.
Turning to the scholar transport tragedy, President Ramaphosa said it was particularly distressing that the incident occurred on the same day that the South African Human Rights Commission released a report on scholar transport in the North West.
The President extended his condolences to the families, teachers, classmates and friends of the learners who lost their lives.
“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars – to protect learners,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said national and provincial authorities would provide the affected families and schools with the necessary psychosocial support during this difficult time. – SAnews.gov.za
Government intervenes over sewer crisis in JB Marks Municipality
Poorly functioning wastewater treatment plants and ongoing sewerage spillages continue to contribute significantly to water pollution in JB Marks Local Municipality in North West, prompting intervention by the national Department of Water and Sanitation.
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo on Friday, 16 January 2026, met with the municipality to address the ongoing deterioration of sewerage infrastructure in Ikageng Location, Potchefstroom, and its impact on the Mooi River.
The department said Seitlholo had received numerous complaints from residents about persistent sewerage spillages contaminating the Mooi River, a critical water source used for domestic water use, agriculture, livestock farming, and industrial activities. Several industrial areas rely on the river to sustain their operations, making its protection an urgent environmental and socio-economic priority.
According to the department, the challenges facing the municipality are largely due to ageing and deteriorating sewerage infrastructure, which has resulted in frequent overflowing manholes that pose serious health risks and negatively affect residents and businesses.
While the municipality has managed to unblock some manholes affecting local businesses, the lack of appropriate machinery has led to continued sewer spillages. As a result, pollution of the Mooi River has persisted, mainly from untreated sewage and wastewater entering the river directly or through stormwater channels.
Between 2020 and 2023, affected communities and downstream water users lodged complaints to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Following several inspections in Ikageng, DWS issued a Notice of Intention to issue a Directive to JB Marks Local Municipality in terms of Section 19(3) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998).
Although the municipality responded to the notices and directives, the department said the responses failed to implement immediate and effective measures to stop the discharge of pollution into the environment.
In addition to the directives, a criminal case was opened by civil society, with the matter currently under investigation by an Environmental Management Inspector from the DFFE.
The DWS said it continues to receive complaints regarding sewage spillages in the area, which indicate failures within the sewer networks and the pumpstations.
To address the challenges, DWS has approved several projects under the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) intended to rehabilitate and upgrade sewerage infrastructure in Promosa and Mohadin, areas that continue to experience persistent sewerage spillages.
During the site inspections, Seitlholo and his delegation observed ongoing sewerage spillages in Extension 7, near Poortjies Dam, including the prolonged exposure of two households that have reportedly endured sewer spillages for an estimated period of 10 years.
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister emphasised that while the municipality has approved projects aimed at addressing these challenges, the lack of adequate tools of trade remains a critical impediment.
“The municipality does not have the necessary equipment to respond swiftly and effectively to sewerage spillages, resulting in residents and businesses being forced to live and operate under unsanitary conditions for prolonged periods.
“These matters were clearly raised with the Municipal Manager and the MMC, who was acting as Mayor at the time. The current situation is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue,” Seitlholo said.
A follow-up meeting has been scheduled within the next two weeks to assess progress and ensure corrective measures are implemented. – SAnews.gov.za
EPIC-Africa (https://EPIC-Africa.org) annonce aujourd’hui le lancement des Prix des OSC Africaines 2026, une initiative qui souhaite changer la manière dont le travail de la société civile est reconnu en Afrique. Ces Prix recentrent l’attention là où elle doit être : dans l’engagement, la créativité et la force des communautés africaines.
Placée sous le thème « Célébrer le développement mené par les communautés », cette édition marque une rupture assumée avec les définitions classiques et souvent dépassées de « l’excellence organisationnelle ». Elle vise à honorer les organisations de la société civile (OSC) et les leaders qui, chaque jour, apportent des réponses concrètes aux défis sociaux, souvent loin des projecteurs, mais avec un impact réel sur les vies des populations.
Reprendre la main sur le récit
Dans un contexte marqué par la réduction de l’espace civique et la baisse de l’aide internationale, les organisations africaines font preuve d’une résilience remarquable. Les Prix des OSC Africaines 2026 mettent en avant le développement mené par les communautés, une approche qui place les décisions, les ressources et les solutions entre les mains de celles et ceux qui vivent les réalités du terrain.
Cette vision s’appuie sur des valeurs et des pratiques africaines bien connues, telles que l’Ubuntu et le Harambee, et répond au besoin croissant de solutions locales, justes et durables.
« Pendant trop longtemps, la reconnaissance a surtout bénéficié aux organisations les plus visibles ou les mieux dotées », déclare Rose Maruru, cofondatrice et directrice générale d’EPIC-Africa.
« Avec ces Prix, nous souhaitons mettre en lumière l’ingéniosité et l’engagement des OSC africaines, et rappeler que le développement du continent passe avant tout par ses communautés.»
Une nouvelle vision de l’excellence
Les Prix 2026 adoptent une vision large du changement et reconnaissent l’ensemble de l’écosystème de la société civile à travers cinq catégories :
Organisation d’opération : des OSC qui travaillent directement avec les communautés pour co-construire et mettre en œuvre des solutions locales.
Renforceurs : des organisations qui soutiennent les acteurs de terrain par des formations, des outils ou des services.
Facilitateurs : des institutions qui agissent sur les politiques, la recherche ou les cadres stratégiques afin de créer un environnement favorable à l’action locale.
À cela s’ajoutent deux catégories de nomination individuelle, destinées à révéler des héros du quotidien souvent invisibles :
Leaders émergents : des personnes de moins de 35 ans qui portent des initiatives innovantes
Personnes d’impact à vie : des figures dont l’engagement de longue durée a contribué à renforcer la société civile.
Un processus pensé pour connecter et valoriser
Les Prix reposent sur un processus en trois phases, à la fois inclusif, rigoureux et collaboratif. Surtout, ce parcours est conçu pour créer de la valeur pour tous les participants. Chaque organisation participante en tire un bénéfice concret, indépendamment du résultat final. Toutes les organisations candidates accèdent automatiquement à la Plateforme des OSC Africaines, un espace numérique qui facilite la visibilité, les échanges entre pairs et les opportunités de financement.
Phase 1 : Appel à candidatures : les organisations, formelles ou informelles, sont invitées à partager leur histoire et leur action.
Phase 2 : Mise en valeur de l’impact : les candidats présélectionnés sont accompagnés par EPIC-Africa pour documenter leur travail (témoignages, études de cas, données, etc.).
Jury indépendant : un panel d’experts africains sélectionne les lauréats et les mentions spéciales.
Les candidatures sont ouvertes à toutes les OSC africaines, quels que soient leur taille ou leur domaine d’intervention et peuvent être soumises en français ou en anglais. Les lauréats bénéficieront d’une visibilité accrue, d’opportunités de renforcement des capacités et de plateformes de mise en relation avec des bailleurs, des décideurs publics et d’autres acteurs de la société civile.
Comment candidater
Les candidatures pour les Prix des OSC Africaines 2026 sont ouvertes à partir d’aujourd’hui, 19 janvier 2026, et se clôtureront le 28 février 2026.
* La Plateforme des OSC Africaines est un hub numérique panafricain conçu pour briser les silos à l’échelle du continent. En participant aux Prix, les OSC accèdent à un espace de mise en relation entre pairs, à des opportunités de financement et à une visibilité accrue grâce à un profil consultable permettant aux partenaires et bailleurs d’identifier des organisations réellement ancrées localement.
Distribué par APO Group pour EPIC Africa.
Contacts pour la presse :
Paul Wanyoike
Responsable technique de la plateforme, EPIC-Africa
Email : pwanyoike@epic-africa.org
À propos d’EPIC-Africa :
EPIC-Africa est une organisation basée au Sénégal, qui œuvre pour renforcer l’impact de la philanthropie et de la société civile en Afrique, notamment en comblant des lacunes en matière de données et de capacités. Sa vision est celle d’une société civile africaine dynamique, influente et durable, placée au cœur du développement du continent.
