Category: South Africa Government

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has processed 893 847 funding applications for 2026 – prior to the start of the academic year.

“Of these, 593 981 applications (66.45%) were submitted by female applicants, reflecting the ongoing trend of strong female participation in tertiary education. Male applicants accounted for 299 866 applications (33.55%),” NSFAS Board Chairperson, Dr Mugwena Maluleke, said on Tuesday at a media briefing in Pretoria.

To date, 609 653 applications have been approved, with 203 731 applications currently in progress; 16 862 applications have been cancelled, and 49 568 have been rejected after rigorous review.

Among these applications, 520 545 applications are from South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries, and 2 551 applications are from students with disabilities.

“First-time entry students accounted for 766 232 applications, while 125 157 applications came from senior students. In terms of age distribution, we received 428 632 applications from a range of teenagers, 417 823 from individuals in their twenties, 42 186 from those in their 30s, 4 585 from individuals in their 40s, and 621 from applicants aged 50 and above,” Maluleke said.

All funding decisions for 2026 were completed by 31 December 2025. 

The initial release for first-time entering students took place on 15 December 2025, and universities are now able to access funding lists.

“NSFAS has streamlined the appeals process for 2026. The appeals window opens immediately as application outcomes are communicated, with the final deadline for appeals set for 14 January 2026. Outcomes will be communicated by 16 February 2026. Students must submit all supporting documentation within 30 days of their outcome notification,” Maluleke said.

Allowance distribution arrangements 

Maluleke said university-led allowance distribution will be extended through 2026. 

“Monthly remittance returns must be submitted to NSFAS detailing students paid, types of allowances, and dates of payment. 

“Equally important is that accommodation allowances for students in private accommodation will be paid directly to accredited providers, who must enter into legitimate agreements with student occupants,” he said.

NSFAS is implementing a transitional framework designed to facilitate the shift towards a more centralised, transparent, and student-focused accommodation system. 

In alignment with this initiative, all higher education institutions and private accommodation providers are required to adopt the new framework to ensure a seamless process for the allocation and management of accommodation for both new entrants and returning students. 

“As part of this transition, all accommodation dates — including opening, closing, move-in, and move-out periods — will be intrinsically aligned with the academic calendar to prevent students from being stranded at any point during the academic year. 

“We are upgrading the accommodation portal to enable students to apply for accommodation, track their application status, accept offers, and log maintenance issues, all within a single platform. 

“Furthermore, the portal will be integrated with institutional student management systems to facilitate automatic verification of student registration and NSFAS eligibility,” Maluleke said.

In addition, NSFAS will introduce a robust data-driven reporting and reconciliation process, ensuring clear and timely reconciliation between NSFAS and accommodation providers. 

“This will guarantee prompt payment to providers, thereby encouraging their continued participation in the scheme. The upgraded system will generate monthly occupancy and payment reports directly from the central platform,” Maluleke said.

NSFAS will also explore the implementation of an in-house accommodation payment functionality, transferring the payment process from portal providers directly to NSFAS. 

“This enhancement will strengthen financial management and improve the reconciliation of funds disbursed to accommodation providers and students, eliminating the need for third-party payment processing and ensuring greater efficiency and accountability,” Maluleke said.

On 1 February 2026, NSFAS will issue an upfront payment covering the full book allowance and one month of meal, accommodation, personal care, and travel allowances. 

In this regard, universities will be responsible for ensuring correct disbursement to eligible students.

TVET colleges

To support effective cash flow at the commencement of the 2026 academic year, NSFAS will advance tuition upfront payments to TVET colleges on 31 January 2026. 

“The upfront payment will be calculated at 20% of each college’s 2025 tuition allocation. All subsequent tuition payments will be processed based on the submission of valid and verified registration data,” Maluleke said.

The myNSFAS Manager Portal is now open for 2026 registration data uploads. 

Beneficiaries at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges will continue to receive their allowances directly into their personal bank accounts. 

“Colleges are required to ensure that students capture and verify their banking details accurately on the NSFAS portal, as payments will not be made to third-party or institutional accounts.

“NSFAS has communicated a comprehensive schedule to TVET colleges, detailing all tuition and allowance payment dates, as well as registration upload and cut-off deadlines for the 2026 academic cycle,” the Chairperson said.

He emphasised that it is essential colleges submit complete and up-to-date student registration data, including any changes relating to cancellations, dropouts, de-registrations, and other enrolment updates, by the specified deadlines. 

“Registration and student status updates must be managed as a continuous monthly process to ensure accurate funding administration and to prevent incorrect payments or future recoveries.

“Further, the 2026 registration template has been enhanced to allow colleges to indicate students’ accommodation types and participation in occupational programmes, thereby streamlining verification processes and the distribution of funds,” Maluleke said.

Any changes to student registration data must be made only during the designated adjustment periods, which will be announced by NSFAS and are subject to budget availability. – SAnews.gov.za

 

66 views

While enforcement is an important element to road safety, a change in behaviour is key to preventing the loss of lives on the country’s roads.

“Every fatality on our roads is one too many. While our enforcement teams continue to work tirelessly across the province, road safety ultimately depends on the choices each road user makes,” Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said.

This as the province recorded 25 fatalities on its roads between 29 December 2025 and 4 January 2026.  

The Western Cape Mobility Department reported 23 vehicle incidents that resulted in 25 fatalities on provincial roads.

“Speeding, drinking and driving, and disregarding the rules place lives at risk, not only your own, but those of innocent road users. We remain hopeful that with patience, vigilance and mutual respect, we can still prevent further tragedies on Western Cape roads,” said Sileku.

According to the provincial department, of the 25 fatalities, 12 were pedestrians, and six were motorcyclists, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of road users outside of vehicles.

During this period, provincial traffic services made 88 arrests, with 65 of these for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

In addition, more than 350 speeding offences were recorded, with the highest speed clocked at 171 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.

To address dangerous behaviour and promote safer travel, 180 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and speed control operations were conducted throughout the Western Cape. 

Over 36 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, leading to more than 9 000 fines for various traffic violations, including issues related to driver and vehicle fitness.

The department believes that these statistics reflect high traffic volumes as residents and visitors return from holiday destinations both within and outside the province.

The Chief Director of Traffic Management, Maxine Bezuidenhout, emphasised the importance of protecting vulnerable road users.

“Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists remain among the most vulnerable on our roads. We urge pedestrians to remain visible, cross at safe points and stay alert at all times. Motorcyclists and pedal cyclists are encouraged to wear protective gear, remain visible, and ride defensively, especially in high-traffic conditions. 

“Our teams will maintain a strong presence across the province, but safer roads require cooperation from every road user,” said Bezuidenhout.

As the festive season travel period continues, the department said authorities remain committed to proactive enforcement and public awareness efforts to ensure that everyone reaches their destination safely.

The department continues to call on all road users to:
•    Obey speed limits and traffic laws.
•    Never drive or walk under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
•    Remain patient and courteous during peak travel times.
•    Be especially vigilant in areas with pedestrian activity.
•    Share the road responsibly with motorcyclists and cyclists. – SAnews.gov.za

 

47 views

The unilateral military strikes conducted by the United States against Venezuela, along with the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse from Venezuelan territory for transfer to the United States, constitute a blatant violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

South Africa made this assertion during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting focused on the situation in Venezuela. The statement was delivered by Jonathan Passmoor, South Africa’s Acting Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN. 

The 15-member bloc convened an emergency meeting on Monday in New York City after the United States special forces abducted Maduro and his wife, taking them to the United States early Saturday morning. 

In his first court appearance in New York yesterday, Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges.

Passmoor informed Member States that history has shown military invasions of sovereign States often lead to instability and exacerbates crises.

“Unlawful, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations. Such use of force also undermines the institutional infrastructure established to regulate relations among nations. 

“We have seen examples of these in Libya, Iraq, and countless cases in Africa, where foreign interventions and interference create security crises and undermine national governance institutions cultivated through nuanced and complex national contexts.” 

Passmoor emphasised that allegations regarding internal governance issues, human rights violations or criminal acts by a Head of State do not justify violating the Charter’s prohibition on the use of force, especially Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.

“The peaceful resolution of disputes and internal matters must proceed in accordance with international law and through multilateral mechanisms.”

According to international law, Passmoor said that a State has exclusive jurisdiction over individuals within its own territory.

“Enforcement of domestic law, including the arrest by one State within the territory of another State without the State’s consent, is an unlawful violation of sovereignty.”

Passmoor said since the establishment of the United Nations, the maintenance of international peace and security hinges on the recognition that no nation is legally or morally superior to another.

“We are all nations born out of different histories and contexts, ascribing to the common values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Chief amongst these principles is the sovereign equality of all its members.”

By signing the Charter, he stressed that nations are committed to resolving international disputes peacefully, ensuring that international peace, security and justice are not threatened.

“We have also committed to refrain, in our foreign relations, from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations. 

“The International Court of Justice has also previously affirmed that international law prohibits the use of force and non-intervention in another State’s affairs.”

Passmoor also spoke about a group of concerned Latin American countries that have raised the need to resolve the matter peacefully through dialogue, negotiation and respect for international law, without external interference.

“If we do not stand up to the sovereign rights of any nations or States being undermined and wantonly violated, then which one of us is safe or guaranteed protection by the principles of the Charter and international law?

“Failure to act decisively against such violations is tantamount to inviting anarchy, and normalising the use of force and military might as the main form of discourse in international politics. This would be a regression into a world preceding the United Nations, a world that gave us two brutal world wars, and an international system prone to severe structural instability and lawlessness. We cannot afford to proceed into a complex future without the stability and protection afforded by international law.” – SAnews.gov.za

28 views

Rand Water’s final leg of its planned maintenance programme in Johannesburg kicks off from today with a temporary shutdown of water services that can be expected in parts of the city.

The shutdown is expected to last at least 54 hours and impact water systems including:
•    Meadowlands Reservoir and Direct Feeds: Meadowlands (all zones & extensions), Tshepo Themba, Dube, Central Western Jabavu & Ext.1, Mofolo Central & North, Orlando West, Zondi, and Mmesi Park. 
•    Doornkop Reservoir and Direct Feeds: Dobsonville Gardens, Dobsonville (all extensions), Lufhereng (all extensions), Protea City, Protea Glen (all extensions), Thulani (all extensions), Doornkop(all extensions), Green Village, Slovoville (all extensions), Tshepisong(all extensions), and Leratong Village. 
•    Bramfischerville Reservoir 1&2 and Direct Feeds: Braamfischerville (all extensions), Mmesi Park, Durban Deep, Sol Plaatjies, and Goudrand. 
•    Roodepoort Deep: Hamberg, Rand Leases (all extensions), Discovery Ext.9, Georginia, Roodepoort, and Creswell Park.
•    Fleurhof Reservoir: Lea Glen, Fleurhof (all extensions)

During a media briefing on Monday, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero explained that as a result of the maintenance, bulk water supply will be reduced and residents should expect low water pressure or outages.

“After maintenance ends and pumping resumes on the 8th of January, the system will not recover immediately. Joburg Water’s infrastructure will require at least seven days to stabilise and recover fully.

“The City, in collaboration with Joburg Water and Rand Water, has implemented extensive operational and contingency plans to reduce the impact of this maintenance.

“Reservoir levels have been managed in advance; response teams are on standby and alternative water will be supplied to affected communities through stationary and roaming tankers during both the maintenance and recovery periods,” Morero said.

He moved to assure that residents will be kept abreast of all developments.

“Communication is a priority. The City and Joburg Water will provide regular updates through councillors’ official platforms and customer notices to ensure communities receive accurate and timely information.

“We have concluded an important meeting with councillors of these areas that are affected and councillors would have started work to communicate directly with communities,” he said.

The city acknowledges the inconvenience and disruptions caused to households, businesses and institutions as maintenance is carried out.

“However, this work is essential to safeguard the City’s long term water security, and we will continue to work with Rand Water and key stakeholders to manage this maintenance – prioritising our residents’ interests,” Morero added. – SAnews.gov.za

 

4 views

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has encouraged National Senior Certificate (NSC) candidates, who were unsuccessful in their initial attempt at the exams, to make use of the official Second Chance Programme.

The Second Chance Programme is provided free of charge to candidates.

Eligible individuals may register to rewrite or add subjects without any payment, in accordance with the department’s policies for the May/June examination cycle. 

The department stressed that it does not endorse any private or commercial services that require payment for participation in the Second Chance Programme. 

“For authentic information, please contact the Department of Basic Education directly or visit the official website,” the DBE said.

The aim of the Second Chance Matric Programme is to provide support to learners, who have not been able to meet the requirements of the NSC or the extended Senior Certificate.

The programme is part of meeting the goals of the National Development Plan and the basic education sector, leading to increased learner retention. Learners are also exposed to bursary opportunities for further studies. 

Candidates to be supported 

• Senior Certificate Examination Candidates: Learners registered to write the Senior Certificate examinations in June.  
• NSC Examinations Part-time candidates: Learners who attempted the NSC examinations post 2008, and will write the examinations in May/June and November.

Targeted subjects include Accounting, Agricultural Science, Business Studies, Economics, English First Additional Language, Geography, History, Mathematics, Mathematic Literacy, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences.

The DBE is set to release the 2025 Matric Results on 12 January 2026. This year, over 900 000 candidates sat for the 2025 exams across 7 000 centres, supported by thousands of invigilators and more than 51 000 markers and moderators. – SAnews.gov.za

15 views

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is set to outline its comprehensive preparations for the 2026 academic year at a media briefing on Tuesday.

“The briefing will outline NSFAS’s comprehensive preparations for the 2026 academic year, with a focus on funding disbursements and registration support for all universities and TVET [Technical and Vocational Educational and Training] colleges. 

“Dr Maluleke [NSFAS Board Chairperson] will provide detailed guidance on key processes, timelines, and responsibilities,” NSFAS said in an advisory.

At the briefing set to be held on Tuesday, 6 January, the scheme will give details of the 2026 disbursement schedule, funding decisions and eligible lists, as well as 2026 qualification code updates, among others.

“Additional topics will include support measures for institutions and students during the registration period, and the streamlined appeals process,” the scheme said on Monday.

Last week, the NSFAS announced that it has processed all funding applications ahead of the start of the 2026 academic year.

The briefing is set to be held at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in Pretoria. – SAnews.gov.za

82 views

The Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), Dorah Modise, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Commissioners of the PCC.

“We thank and applaud our Chairperson, President [Cyril] Ramaphosa on his well informed and guided decision on the appointment of these diverse leaders of our society and communities to drive and guide our country’s just transition journey and climate action efforts” said Modise.

The Commission was established in 2020 as a multi-stakeholder body to advise on South Africa’s climate change response measures as well as our just transition development pathways and interventions to a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy, and society. 

The term of the previous cohort of commissioners ended on 31 December 2025 and the new commissioners will serve for a period of five years from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030 in terms of the Climate Change Act, 2024 (Act No. 22 of 2024).

President Ramaphosa announced the appointment of the new commissioners in a statement on Friday. –SAnews.gov.za

23 views

The Department of Basic Education has reaffirmed the integrity and governance of the state national senior certificate examination system.

This as it noted with serious concern, unfounded statements relating to the identification of a limited examination breach during the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

“While the Department of Basic Education (DBE) unequivocally condemns any breach of examination integrity, it is both inaccurate and analytically unsound to suggest that the integrity of the NSC is fundamentally compromised or that independent examination bodies are inherently more secure,” it said.

This as the Freedom Front Plus bemoaned the fact that departmental officials have been implicated in leaking matric exam papers, saying this erodes confidence in the public education system.

READ | Two officials suspended over matric exam paper leaks

In its statement on Sunday, the DBE said any compromise of examination integrity is unacceptable, regardless of its scale or origin. 

“The DBE does not minimise such incidents. On the contrary, the department acted decisively, transparently, and in accordance with the law by publicly acknowledging the breach, instituting a National Investigation Task Team, suspending implicated officials, and initiating criminal and disciplinary processes. These actions reflect institutional accountability and systemic resilience, not failure,” it explained.

The department said the detection of the irregularities itself demonstrates the robustness of its quality assurance and monitoring systems. 

“The breach was identified through internal controls during the marking process, swiftly traced to its source, and isolated through established mechanisms. Credible examination systems are defined not by the absence of attempted breaches, but by the strength of their detection, response, and remediation frameworks. On this measure, South Africa’s NSC continues to meet national and international benchmarks.

“Assertions that examination irregularities are unique to the public examination system, or to the DBE specifically, reflect an uninformed, extremely narrow and parochial reading of national and global assessment systems.”

The department said international experience shows that no examination authority public or private is entirely insulated from human misconduct. 

It further added that in  South Africa, the DBE, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), work collaboratively through formal service-level agreements to ensure coherence, quality assurance and national benchmarking. 

“This cooperation strengthens the credibility of the national examination ecosystem rather than fragmenting it,” the department said.

The department said the NSC examination, as administered by the DBE, continues to underpin access to higher education, skills development and employment, and is widely trusted by universities and employers.

“The Department of Basic Education rejects the insinuation that the integrity of the National Senior Certificate is in terminal decline or that public schooling is structurally incapable of safeguarding assessment standards. Such claims are unsupported, selectively framed, and politically opportunistic.” The DBE’s Director-General Mathanzima Mweli said.

The DBE is set to release the 2025 Matric Results on 12 January 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

75 views

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has confirmed that the event where large numbers of dead white mussel, whelks and other shellfish were washed out at St Helena Bay and Elandsbaai on the West Coast has remained confined to those two areas. 

Observations by Fisheries Control Officers (FCOs) and satellite imagery, indicate visible red tides from Elandsbaai 100km northward, to above the Olifants Estuary on the West Coast. 

There have been no mortalities of fish or shellfish reported associated with these visible new red tides. However, there remains a high risk of toxicity and it is still advised that “all shellfish, irrespective of being washed out or collected from shore or subtidal, should not be eaten”.

Satellite imagery and reports by members of the public and FCOs, also confirm a visible red tide in Walker Bay, Hermanus. 

“This red tide is bioluminescent, the phytoplankton producing spectacular flashes of colour at night. There have been no reported fish or shellfish mortalities reported with this red tide but a cautionary approach remains that no shellfish be collected and eaten,” the DFFE said.

Further eastwards, there has been a mass mortality of fish in the Hartenbos Estuary in Mosselbaai. This mass mortality, the department said, is not due to a red tide, but is the result of sewerage discharge and resultant eutrophication and ammonia toxicity.   

“There are a variety of reasons for the current mass kills and washouts of fish and shellfish on the West and South Coasts. However, the department cautions members of the public to refrain from eating any washed out marine animals as they carry significant health risks, rendering them unsuitable for consumption,” the department said.

The DFFE will continue to monitor the situations with respect to the extent of the red tides and resultant mass mortalities on the West Coast and South Coast. – SAnews.gov.za

92 views