Category: Africa

The Department of Correctional Services has recorded a 94.4% pass rate for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

This was revealed by Minister Pieter Groenewald, who released the results at the Goodwood Correctional Facility, in the Western Cape, on Monday.

Some 180 learners from 18 correctional services schools sat for the NSC examinations in 2025 with 15 schools achieving a 100% pass rate and a total of 132 distinctions earned.

“Two of our schools, Usethubeni in Durban-Westville in KwaZulu-Natal and Baviaanspoort in the Gauteng Region, have maintained a 100% pass rate for the past ten years. We are also immensely proud of the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre School, which achieved a 100% pass rate.

“KwaZulu-Natal deserves special recognition for producing the highest number of matriculants, with 50 learners, of whom 45 attained Bachelor passes. Usethubeni alone accounted for 31 learners, all of whom achieved Bachelor passes. These results demonstrate that our focus is not merely on achieving a pass, but on producing quality outcomes,” Groenewald said.

The Minister emphasised to the gathering that “education is a powerful instrument for change”.

“We gather not merely to announce results, but to celebrate resilience, discipline and educational excellence. This ceremony stands as a powerful reminder that learning does not stop at prison walls, and that hope, when nurtured through education, can flourish even in the most constrained environments.

“To our matriculants, you have shown that your past does not define your future. Through discipline, perseverance, and commitment, you have invested in yourselves and in the future of this country. Education remains one of the most powerful tools for rehabilitation, reintegration, and nation-building.

“As the Department of Correctional Services, we remain resolute in ensuring that every inmate within our care is given a fair opportunity to succeed,” he said.

Family members, teachers and officials were also praised for their commitment to the learners.

“None of this would be possible without the unwavering commitment of our educators, who continue to teach under uniquely challenging conditions with dedication and professionalism.

“We commend Heads of Correctional Centres and all officials whose daily support ensures that learners remain focused in an environment where distractions may emerge.

“We also acknowledge the vital role played by parents and families, whose encouragement sustains learners through difficult journeys. Our appreciation also goes to the Department of Basic Education for its continued collaboration with our Formal Education Directorate and correctional facilities across the country,” Groenewald said. – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom is rolling out a new customer service model featuring scheduled mobile customer hubs and pop-up service points across communities in a bid to expand access to customer support and bring services closer to where customers live and work.

According to the power utility, customers will be able to get services from “Hub-on-Wheels” units, community pop-ups, self-service platforms and selected permanent customer service hubs.

“These mobile offerings operate in addition to Eskom’s brick-and-mortar facilities, which continue to operate in strategic and accessible areas. Permanent customer service offices will progressively resume operations and will officially open from 1 February 2025, with further locations to follow.

“As customer expectations evolve and Eskom deepens its operational and community programmes, this hybrid model offers faster access to assistance, supports service improvements, and creates more opportunities for direct customer engagement,” Eskom said.

Eskom Distribution Acting Group Executive, Agnes Mlambo, added: “This initiative reflects Eskom’s commitment to meeting customers where they are. We are moving away from a static service model to a dynamic, customer-centred approach. Whether through self-service, mobile hubs, pop-ups or in-person support, Eskom is improving access to services when and where it matters most.”

Limpopo and the North West will be the first provinces to have Hub-on-Wheels and pop-up engagements this month with a schedule for the rest of the country to be communicated via Eskom’s official communication channels.

“While offices will open from 1 February, mobile engagements will continue throughout the month and thereafter. The monthly schedule will be updated and published regularly, with the aim of providing predictable and reliable visits, ensuring communities are reached at least once per month while permanent offices remain available for in-person support.

“Additional provinces are being activated and will be announced over the coming weeks. Eskom intends to share a national schedule, including the full list of operational walk-in centres, by the end of January,” the power utility explained.

Digital platforms and self-service tools remain available for use.

“Customers can log service requests, submit applications or report faults via the Eskom Customer Application Tool at connect.eskom.co.za, contact Eskom on WhatsApp Alfred at 08600 37566, or call the Eskom Contact Centre. To speed up assistance, customers are encouraged to have their account and meter details ready.

“Eskom remains committed to improving the customer experience through accessible service channels, modernised support systems, and deeper engagement with communities across South Africa,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has announced that it continues to support various flood-stricken communities by conducting rescue operations to evacuate people stranded in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. 

These areas have been severely affected by flooding and rising water levels due to heavy rains over the past two weeks.

The SANDF has additionally deployed a search and rescue team, which included an Oryx helicopter from the South African Air Force (SAAF), to assist in search operations in Mozambique which has also been affected by adverse weather conditions.

According to the SANDF, the aircraft and advance team successfully landed in Maputo and are expected to collaborate with various emergency rescue teams and disaster management agencies in Mozambique as part of Operation CHARIOT.

“More air assets are scheduled to be deployed from South Africa to assist in the rescue mission,” the SANDF said in a statement. 

In South Africa, 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. – SAnews.gov.za

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has called on South African journalists and media to submit their entries for the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards competition. 

The SADC Media Awards competition is open to journalists from the SADC member states in four categories: Photo Journalism, Print Journalism, Television Journalism, and Radio Journalism.

Established in 1996, the SADC Media Awards aim to recognise excellence in journalism that promotes regional cooperation, integration and development across the SADC region. 

“The awards celebrate media practitioners whose work highlights the shared values, principles, and aspirations of Southern Africa. Winners will receive US$2500 in each category, while runners-up will be awarded US$1000.

“SADC’s vision is of a common future where the peoples of Southern Africa enjoy economic well-being, improved standards of living, peace, security, freedom, and social justice. 

“These awards support that vision by encouraging reporting that strengthens regional bonds and deepens public understanding of SADC initiatives,” the GCIS said on Monday.

Journalists who wish to enter the competition can access more information about the competition from the www.gcis.gov.za website.

The entry form can be accessed at https://zurl.co/sN1xF.

The rules of the 2026 competition can be accessed at https://zurl.co/yVIyN.

Completed forms may be submitted via WeTransfer or Google Drive links and emailed to: mphop@gcis.gov.za and keneilwe@gcis.gov.za or entries can also be posted or delivered to:

GCIS offices nationwide, marked as follows: 

SADC Media Awards Entry

Government Communications (GCIS)

1035 Francis Baard Street

Hatfield, Pretoria

0028

The closing date for submissions is 27 February 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

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