Category: MIL-OSI

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called on African universities to fundamentally rethink inclusion, stressing that disability must be treated as a central design principle rather than an afterthought.

Speaking at the 3rd Edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Africa Universities Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, Manamela said current participation rates for students with disabilities highlight the scale of exclusion across the sector.

In South Africa, students living with disabilities accounted for just 1.3% of public university enrolments in 2023, while across the broader post-school education and training system the figure stood at roughly 1%.

“These are not figures of inclusion at scale. They are signs of how much work remains to be done,” the Minister said.

Manamela argued that meaningful inclusion requires systemic change, extending beyond admissions to the way institutions are structured and operated.

He said the problem is not only at the point of admission, but also in infrastructure.

“The problem lies in infrastructure, digital design, assistive technology, curriculum adaptation, staff training, and whether institutions are built on the principle of universal accessibility or on the assumption of a ‘normal’ student. Inclusion is not a speech. It is design,” the Minister said.

Manamela highlighted that gender equality in higher education varies significantly across the continent.

While South Africa has achieved a female majority in enrolment, much of sub-Saharan Africa still faces barriers to women’s access to tertiary education, with roughly 80 women enrolled for every 100 men.

Using Kenya as an example, he noted that tertiary enrolment stands at about 13% for men and 10% for women, underscoring that parity remains a challenge in many countries.

Call for measurable justice and systemic reform

The Minister urged higher education leaders to shift from symbolic commitments to measurable outcomes, including publishing detailed, disaggregated data on enrolment, retention, completion, employment outcomes, disability access and leadership representation.

“Without that, we do not have transformation. We have anecdotes,” he said.

He also warned against simplistic narratives around gender, warning that progress for women should not obscure persistent inequalities, nor should concerns about declining male participation undermine efforts toward gender justice.

“The task is not to choose between women and men. The task is to build institutions capable of producing equality for all.”

Manamela also stressed that challenges within higher education reflect broader societal dynamics, including poverty, labour market inequality, social conditions and access to resources.

“The higher education question is inseparable from the social question,” he said, calling for coordinated reforms that include funding, curriculum transformation, safe and accessible campuses, and stronger links to the labour market.

Toward a more inclusive future

Manamela said South Africa’s experience demonstrates both the potential and the limitations of policy-driven change.

While progress has been made in expanding access, particularly for women, deeper inequalities persist in leadership, employment outcomes, and disability inclusion.

“Our task is to build an education system that reflects the society we want: balanced, fair, accessible and equal. Not access without success. Not inclusion without power. But real equality,” Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile Mashatile will attend the Amandla Ngawethu Good Friday church service of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG).

The Easter service will be held at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

“The Deputy President has been tasked by the President to lead government’s interaction with the inter-faith communities across South Africa as a champion of the country’s social cohesion and nation-building initiatives. 

“The 2026 theme, ‘The Family at the Foot of the Cross’, focuses on strengthening the family unit and empowering communities to break cycles of violence, abuse, conflict and social fragmentation,” the Presidency said on Wednesday.

The event further highlights the role of faith-based organisations in promoting social cohesion, crime prevention and community resilience.

“Although Deputy President Mashatile has, in this role, traversed the length and breadth of the country, attending various congregations and worshipping with various religious denominations, including the Muslim, Hindu, Christian and African Churches communities, it will be the first time that he attends the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God Easter service in his capacity as the Deputy President of the Republic,” the Presidency explained.

The Deputy President will be joined by the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko as well as senior government officials.

The church service is expected to get underway at 10am. – SAnews.gov.za

A 49-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court today after he was found in possession of R3 million worth of illegal drugs, the Hawks said.

“Exhibits worth an estimated R3 million were confiscated which included a VW Tiguan, crystal meth and heroine. The suspect is to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 02 April 2026 facing charges of dealing in illegal drugs,” the police said.

The joint effort of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in the East Rand assisted by the Police Emergency Services, Crime Intelligence and Tshwane K9 arrested the foreign national in Morningside in Sandton on Tuesday.

“It is reported that the multi-disciplinary team followed up information received and observed the vehicle as described. The suspect was stopped and searched together with his vehicle wherein suspected crystal meth was found on the passenger seat,” the Hawks said on Wednesday.

The suspect’s home was also searched and more drugs were found. He was subsequently arrested.

The Provincial Head of Gauteng Hawks, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa applauded the efforts by the team and encouraged them to be steadfast in combatting the proliferation of illegal drugs. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has suspended a captain attached to the Protection Security Services (PSS) after an internal investigation uncovered discrepancies and suspicious transactions within the division.

The member is attached to the finance section of the PSS and allegedly used his access to the finance system to withdraw monies running into millions.

An investigation uncovered that he manipulated the system to book out cash for himself under the disguise that the money was meant for travelling expenses for close protectors attached to PPS.

Further investigations uncovered that the money was not received by the close protectors but booked out in lump sum cash amounts by the member.

Following a lengthy investigation, a case of fraud was registered at the Sunnyside police station in Pretoria and an internal departmental investigation has led to his suspension.

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, applauded the Financial Management Division for identifying and uprooting criminality within their ranks and has assigned the SAPS anti-corruption unit to investigate the matter.

“The SAPS takes this opportunity to assure the nation that it has stringent measures in place to ensure taxpayers’ monies are utilized in service to the nation and that the SAPS will not tolerate fraud and corruption within its rank. 

“No close protector attached to the President, Deputy President, Ministers or Deputy Ministers are implicated in this case,” the police said in a statement on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be participating in the 2026 edition of the Rand Show, taking place from 2 to 6 April 2026, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, in NASREC. 

In a statement, the SANDF said it will once more utilise the Rand Show as an opportunity to educate and raise public awareness about the defence force, while bringing its work closer to the people. 

It will also showcase and engage with citizens on a variety of careers, training opportunities and social responsibility initiatives, while putting a spotlight on the department’s achievements in peace support operations across Africa.

“The SANDF’s presence at this iconic event re-assures citizens of its commitment while demonstrating the strength, professionalism, and readiness of South Africa’s armed forces. Visitors will be treated to a range of static displays, interactive exhibitions, and live capability demonstrations, offering a rare opportunity to experience the SANDF’s military might up close,” the statement read. 

From advanced equipment and vehicles to specialised units and operational showcases, the SANDF aims to foster greater understanding of its role in safeguarding the nation. 

This participation will also provide a platform for direct interaction between members of the public and the men and women in uniform, reinforcing the bond between the Defence Force and the people of South Africa.

The SANDF has encouraged families, students and members of the media attending the Rand Show to visit its displays and exhibitions and be part of the experience. – SAnews.gov.za