Category: Africa

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of disruptive rainfall that could cause flooding in Limpopo.

“A medium likelihood of significant impacts are expected over the Lowveld of Limpopo, as well as the eastern parts of the Limpopo Valley, due to persistent overnight rainfall with 30 to 60mm more expected during the course of Monday,” SAWS said.

The weather service said the risk of impacts are exacerbated by the recent flood damage and stressed municipal services.

These weather conditions could result in flooding of roads and settlements, disruptions to traffic flow due to major roads being flooded or closed and some communities may be temporarily not accessible/cut off.

In addition, there is a possibility of danger to life, due to fast flowing streams and rivers, as well as damage to mud-based/makeshift houses/structures, with mudslides, rockfalls and soil erosion possible. – SAnews.gov.za

The Kruger National Park (KNP) has implemented a gate quota system with immediate effect in the interest of visitor safety and effective traffic management, after heavy rains.

Last week’s persistent heavy rainfall across Limpopo and Mpumalanga caused river levels to rise significantly, with overflows reported in the Crocodile, Sabie, Letaba, Sand, Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers.

According to the KNP, Sunday night’s increased rainfall caused further damage to park infrastructure.

“A gate quota system will apply at the following open gates: Malelane Gate, Numbi Gate and Paul Kruger Gate and all Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs) will form part of these gate quotas. Guests are requested to ensure that their vehicles have fuel, as the filling stations at camps might be affected by the persistent rain,” the KNP said on Monday.

Essential delivery vehicles, airport transfers (with proof of a valid flight ticket) and officials will be allowed entry through Paul Kruger Gate only.

The Skukuza to Phabeni Gate route is currently closed due to flooding, as a stream has cut off access along the S1 road. Phabeni Gate is therefore inaccessible via Skukuza at this stage.

“Orpen Gate will remain closed until further notice due to safety concerns. The northern part of the KNP remains inaccessible and as a result, all gates in the north are closed.

“The South African National Parks (SANParks) continues to monitor weather conditions and the status of roads and infrastructure closely. Further updates will be communicated as the situation evolves,” the KNP said. –SAnews.gov.za

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has dispatched the Emergency Housing Unit of the National Department of Human Settlements to disaster-affected areas in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, following recent heavy rainfall. 

In a statement, the department said the national team, working together with provincial departments in both provinces, is currently conducting physical verification of households affected by recent heavy rains.

“The verification process will determine the extent of the damage and inform the department of the appropriate emergency housing interventions to be implemented, assisting affected families,” the department said. 

Parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga experienced heavy rainfall early last week, resulting in widespread damage to properties and infrastructure. More than 1 500 households have been affected, with most of them located in Limpopo. 

In Limpopo, four district municipalities are currently undergoing verification, while the process is yet to commence in the Capricorn District Municipality. 

In Mpumalanga, verification is underway in the Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande District Municipalities.

“Preliminary findings indicate that four households will require relocation due to residing below the flood line, while eight households in Gert Sibande will require Temporary Residential Units at Gert Sibande District. To expedite the verification process, Minister Simelane has directed additional capacity be deployed in both provinces,” the department said. 

The Minister has urged citizens to remain vigilant as further rainfall is expected in both provinces. She said that full assessments of damage are likely to commence this week.

The Department of Human Settlements provides emergency housing assistance through four interventions, including restoration, relocation, rebuilding, and repairs. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated the Matric Class of 2025 for achieving the highest National Senior Certificate pass rate in South Africa’s history, describing the results as a source of inspiration and encouragement for learners across the country. 

More than 650 000 learners passed matric in 2025, resulting in an overall pass rate of 88%. 

In his weekly newsletter to the nation, President Ramaphosa extended his congratulations to the learners, as well as their teachers, families and communities, noting that every learner who sat for the examinations deserved recognition for their effort and perseverance. 

“The matric results have shown a steady improvement over many years, both in the quantity and the quality of the achievements,” the President said. 

He highlighted that these improvements have contributed to a significant rise in the number of South Africans over the age of 20 who hold a matric qualification, increasing from 30% in 2002 to 52% in 2024.

President Ramaphosa said the results reflected the value of continued investment in education and government’s efforts to ensure equitable access to quality schooling for all children, regardless of background or gender. 

He noted that global evidence shows that educating girls is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty. In this regard, he welcomed the fact that more girls than boys wrote matric in 2025, with similar pass rates recorded between the two groups. 

A higher proportion of girls achieved admission to Bachelor studies, while nearly twice as many girls obtained distinctions. 

“This bodes well for the continuation of their studies at universities and colleges,” the President said. 

The President also welcomed the strong performance of learners from disadvantaged communities, with more than two-thirds of all Bachelor passes coming from schools classified in quintiles 1 to 3. 

He said this achievement demonstrated both the determination of learners and teachers in these communities, and the impact of interventions such as no-fee schools and the child support grant. When combined with expanded funding for poor and working-class students in higher education, the President said the results provide hope that many young people will be able to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. 

Special attention was also given to learners with special education needs, with 90% passing matric and 52% achieving Bachelor passes, both above the national average. 

“Our task now is to ensure that more learners with special needs are able to write matric exams,” the President said. 

Addressing challenges

While celebrating the historic results, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that significant challenges remain within the education system. 

Of the 1.2 million learners who started Grade 1 in 2014, only 778 000 reached Grade 12 in 2025. 

“That’s nearly half a million young people who left school before finishing,” he said, stressing the need to improve learner retention and completion rates. 

The President also raised concern about declining performance in key subjects such as mathematics and accounting, despite increased enrolment. He emphasised that these subjects are critical for success in a rapidly changing economy. 

In addressing these challenges, government is focusing on strengthening the foundations of learning. As the Class of 2025 received their results, the Class of 2037 began their first day of Grade 1. 

President Ramaphosa said government has made Grade R compulsory and is expanding support for early childhood development centres, while also strengthening early grade reading, improving learning materials and prioritising teacher development in the early years. 

“By investing in children at the start of their school career, by giving them a solid educational foundation, we are preparing them for success,” he said. 

The President said government remains committed to ensuring that learners complete their schooling, excel in matric and go on to thrive in their future endeavours. 

“The achievements of the Class of 2025 must inspire and encourage all the years of learners that are to follow,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za 

Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has welcomed the classification of the recent floods that affected Limpopo and several other provinces as a national disaster, saying the move will unlock much-needed support to assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts. 

The classification was issued by the National Disaster Management Centre, following an assessment of the magnitude and severity of the severe weather conditions experienced across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the North West. 

The severe weather included lightning, strong and damaging surface winds, heavy rainfall and flooding, which resulted in loss of life, extensive damage to property, infrastructure and the environment, as well as disruptions to basic services. 

The disaster was classified in terms of Section 23(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002). Ramathuba said the classification comes at a critical time, as the full extent of the damage is becoming clearer and access to previously cut-off areas is gradually being restored. 

“This classification has come at the right time when the extent of the damage to our infrastructure is becoming visible to all and access to some areas is slowly opening. We need all the assistance we can get to rebuild Limpopo after these devastating floods, and the help we need from national departments and agencies would be made possible through this classification,” Ramathuba said. 

The national disaster classification will enable organs of State across all three spheres of government to strengthen their support to disaster management structures, implement contingency arrangements and ensure coordinated interventions to effectively address the impact of the disaster. 

The Premier said the Limpopo Provincial Government is currently engaged in assessing and quantifying the damage across affected areas, including determining the cost of repairs and compiling the required reports to be submitted to the National Disaster Management Centre for consideration, assistance and approval. 

Government has reiterated its commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to provide relief to affected communities and to fast-track recovery and rebuilding efforts across the province. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the declaration of a National Disaster under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act of 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) due to severe weather conditions and widespread flooding affecting various parts of the country.

This classification was initiated by the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Dr Elias Sithole, following consultations with the relevant government entities and Heads of Provincial Disaster Management Centres through the National Joint Flood Coordinating Committee.

“This followed a comprehensive assessment of adverse weather conditions experienced since late November 2025,” the statement read. 

The severe weather, which included heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and flooding, impacted Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the North West. 

This extreme weather resulted in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, the displacement of communities, disruptions to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.

Mpumalanga has recorded 20 fatalities, with over 1 300 houses, roads, and public infrastructure damaged. The death toll in Limpopo stands at 18.

Further rainfall warnings remain in effect. 

The classification follows an oversight visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Limpopo last week. 

Hlabisa visited Mpumalanga on Friday, 17 January, to assess flood-affected areas and witness the scale of devastation firsthand.

Hlabisa commended the provincial leadership for its swift and coordinated response, emphasising that decisive leadership is critical in safeguarding lives and strengthening community resilience during disasters. 

He emphasised the urgent need for intervention, including mobilising sufficient resources to support relief and recovery efforts. 

Following the classification, according to Section 26, in conjunction with Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, the National Executive takes on the primary responsibility for coordinating and managing the National Disaster.

“Accordingly, all organs of State across the three spheres of government are required to strengthen support to disaster management structures, implement contingency measures, submit progress reports to the NDMC, and ensure a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to prevention, mitigation, relief and rehabilitation.” 

Hlabisa reaffirmed government’s commitment to restoring normalcy and rebuilding affected areas, with a focus on creating more resilient infrastructure. 

He expressed appreciation for the first responders, disaster management teams, the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, and humanitarian organisations such as Gift of the Givers. 

The Minister also acknowledged the communities that demonstrated Ubuntu by supporting those affected.

Foot-and-mouth disease

Due to the ongoing rainfall, wildfires in the Western Cape, and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Hlabisa emphasised the need for collective action. 

On 17 January 2026, he convened a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM), where they agreed on immediate intervention measures and additional support.

The Minister conveyed his deepest condolences to families and communities affected by the loss of life and urged residents to remain vigilant, heed warnings, avoid unnecessary travel and prioritise safety. 

Response and recovery efforts will continue to be coordinated to ensure that assistance reaches all affected communities. 

Hlabisa reaffirmed government stands firmly with the people during this recovery period and remains committed to supporting communities as they rebuild and recover. – SAnews.gov.za

The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has urged motorists, pedestrians and all road users to exercise extreme caution when travelling, particularly near low-lying bridges and flooded roads, following flooding incidents reported in parts of the Mopani and Vhembe Districts. 

In a statement on Sunday, the department said persistent heavy rainfall in the affected areas has resulted in dangerous road conditions, with reports of flooding-related incidents and loss of lives. 

According to the department, distressing reports have been received of people losing their lives after attempting to cross flooded streams, rivers and bridges. The adverse weather conditions have rendered certain roads unsafe and significantly increased the risk of fatal accidents. 

MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, expressed concern over the situation and appealed to road users to avoid taking unnecessary risks. 

“We are deeply concerned about the loss of lives reported in Mopani and Vhembe. We urge motorists and pedestrians to refrain from crossing flooded roads and low-lying bridges. No destination is worth a human life. Floodwaters are unpredictable and can easily sweep away both people and vehicles,” Mathye said.

The MEC also called on communities to cooperate with traffic officers, law enforcement agencies and disaster management teams that have been deployed across the province to monitor the situation and assist where necessary. 

The department advised road users to avoid crossing flooded roads and low-lying bridges, even when water appears shallow, and to obey road closure signs as well as instructions from traffic officials.

Motorists are further encouraged to use alternative routes where available, reduce speed and maintain safe following distances during wet and rainy conditions. Special caution has been urged to ensure the safety of pedestrians and learners, particularly in flood-prone areas. 

Traffic officers and disaster management teams remain on high alert and continue to monitor road conditions across the affected districts. 

The department extended its sincere condolences to the families affected by the recent tragic incidents and reiterated its call for vigilance and responsible road use during adverse weather conditions. 

Road users are encouraged to stay informed through official alerts from the South African Weather Service and to report emergencies to local authorities. – SAnews.gov.za