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National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Acting CEO, Wassem Carrim, on Thursday highlighted steady progress made by the student funding body in clearing backlogs and expanding access to funding for eligible students.

Carrim highlighted that more than 180 000 outstanding documents that were submitted to NSFAS, led to an additional 50 000 funding approvals, prior to the closing of the registration cycle.

The processing covers first-time entering students, returning university students and continuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students.

As a developmental fund that recognises South Africa’s complex social realities, NSFAS allows applicants with outstanding documentation an opportunity to resubmit, a process that has yielded significant results.

Carrim said teams have been working around the clock to address outstanding documents; an effort which has directly contributed to the approval of an additional 50 000 students for funding before the close of the registration cycle.

However, he noted that some students continue to upload incorrect, incomplete, or unclear documents, which creates a feedback loop between outstanding documents and NSFAS’s ability to consider the applications.

“NSFAS encourages students to send clear, correct copies of documents requested,” Carrim said.

One of the sticky points in outstanding documents related to the consent form, which is used to obtain permission from an applicant’s parent or guardian to verify household income through third-party data sources.

The consent form is used to obtain income data and has specific requirements from which information is compulsory for NSFAS to obtain from the parent(s) or guardian(s) for them to deem the form valid.

The Acting CEO explained that applications are often delayed when consent forms are incomplete, unsigned, undated, or incorrectly completed.

Common issues include forms being signed by students instead of parents, missing dates, incomplete mandatory fields, or cases where consent is provided for only one parent when both parents are identified through Home Affairs records.

In instances where a different individual is listed on the application, Carrim said a declaration form is required to explain the relationship, and this individual must also complete and sign the consent form.

“NSFAS has to verify income, and this also then leads to the requirement of a declaration form if the individual the applicant is including is not the parent at Home Affairs. The relationship must be explained,” Carrim said.

Over 660 000 students approved for funding

On the overall funding outcomes for the 2026 application cycle, NSFAS has approved 660 039 applications for student funding, while 85 662 applications are currently in the process of verification, where outstanding documents have already been submitted.

A total of 116 266 applications have been rejected for not meeting eligibility criteria, while 21 483 applications still have outstanding documents.

In addition, 13 052 loan applicants have been offered bursaries after meeting the qualifying criteria.

For continuing university students, 436 924 students met the academic progression criteria, while 109 761 did not. A further 4 945 students have outstanding results.

“Outstanding results may be due to supplementary examinations. Institutions are encouraged to upload these results so students may have clarity on their funding statuses,” Carrim said.

The results for continuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) student results were received from 15 January 2026 and processed within seven days of receipt.

Of the 210 989 continuing TVET students, 127 503 met the academic progression criteria, 79 461 did not, and 4 025 cases remain under review.

Over 26 000 loan applications received

Carrim also gave an update on loan applications, confirming that 26 538 loan applications were received.

Of these, 4 609 were converted to bursaries after meeting qualifying criteria; 1 561 loans were approved, while 20 368 applications did not meet academic or financial eligibility requirements. – SAnews.gov.za

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has undertaken a working visit to China.

The trip ,which started today and ends on Saturday, comes at a time when South Africa is pursuing an objective of market diversification and export growth. 

The purpose of the trip is to sign the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA), which will see South African exports getting duty free access to the Chinese Market and attract investment into South Africa.

Tau will also take the opportunity to meet with various Chinese companies that have an interest in investing in South Africa.

China has been South Africa’s major trading partner for more than 15 years. 

“South Africa and China have a strong bilateral relationship that has been elevated to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership as formalised during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s official visit to China in September 2024,” the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a dam safety directive to address serious and ongoing safety risks at My Own Dam, publicly known as Senteeko Dam, in Mpumalanga.

The directive, issued in terms of Section 118 of the National Water Act, was served on the dam owner, Shamile Communal Property Association (CPA), on Tuesday, 3 February 2025.

It compels the owner to take immediate, time-bound action to stabilise the dam and prevent further deterioration in order to protect lives, livelihoods and property downstream.

This intervention follows a series of technical assessments which confirmed that the dam is still in a compromised and partially failed condition, and that without urgent remedial action, further deterioration is likely to continue.

As outlined in the directive, these conditions pose an unacceptable level of risk that cannot be adequately managed through monitoring alone.

The department said it is acting decisively to ensure that the dam owner fulfils their legal obligation to maintain the dam in a safe condition.

The department warned that continued deterioration of the dam presents a direct threat to downstream farming communities, including the risk of loss of life and damage to homes, agricultural land and infrastructure.

“These risks are heightened during periods of rainfall and cannot be ignored or deferred. The department is clear that the risk associated with the Senteeko Dam has not yet been averted, and regulatory enforcement will remain in place until that risk is meaningfully reduced,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Engineers have consciously avoided lowering water levels too rapidly, as a sudden drawdown could trigger further structural failure of the already compromised dam wall.

To address the prevailing risk, the dam owner’s Appointed Professional Engineer (APP) has been instructed to urgently assess the dam’s condition and determine the remedial measures required to prevent further deterioration and reduce the risk of failure.

“These determinations must be completed within seven days from the date of the directive and submitted to the department’s Dam Safety Office for review and approval. Once the proposed measures are approved, the department will require the dam owner to immediately commence urgent repair works, including the appointment of a competent and suitably qualified contractor.

“All repair works must be carried out [with] the supervision of the APP and continue until the department is satisfied that the dam no longer poses an unacceptable risk to downstream communities.”

The department said all required engineering designs and technical submissions must be received on or before 13 February 2026, in strict accordance with the timelines set out in the directive.

“Failure to comply with these instructions will result in further enforcement action, as provided for by the law.”

The department said it would prioritise all necessary regulatory approvals to ensure corrective work proceeds without delay, adding that protecting human life, property and livelihoods downstream of the Senteeko Dam remains its foremost concern.

The department will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as developments occur. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) has encouraged individual arts practitioners, registered arts organisations and community art centres to apply for funding for the 2026-2027 financial year.

“This call appeals to arts practitioners to present projects that can continue to educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences. Proposed projects must demonstrate impact and value for the communities in which they operate,” the NAC said ahead of next month’s deadline.

The maximum amount applied for should not be more than R350 000. 

The allocation will be in line with the redress and transformation imperatives of the NAC.

Operating under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the NAC plays a crucial role in funding and facilitating artistic and cultural initiatives that contribute to the country’s creative economy and heritage preservation.

The NAC said only one application will be supported whether submitted by an individual or an organisation/company, be it a natural person or a juristic person.

The invitation is open to active art practitioners in the disciplines of craft, dance, literature, music, theatre and musical theatre, visual arts and multidiscipline to submit their applications for project funding. 

Applications presenting content in South African indigenous art forms as well as capacity building initiatives in intellectual property are encouraged to apply.

The proposed projects must have the capability to address at least two of the six critical focus areas.

The focus areas are as follows:
•    Social cohesion and nation building: This is the extent to which the project brings communities together as well as allows for the inclusion of previously excluded parts of the society while at the same time creating national unity.

• Marginalised and indigenous arts: Projects to be considered must focus on uplifting rural communities as they have a wealth of indigenous and rare artistic expressions that remain in the shadow of mainstream arts. Projects that seek to unearth and profile these hidden art forms by exposing the arts and the practitioners in marginalised areas to new audiences and markets will be highly considered.
  •    Addressing social ills: Projects that provide a platform for artistic expression to the voiceless as well as help with alleviating social ills such as xenophobia, gender-based violence and other violent crimes, drug abuse and gangsterism will be highly considered.
  •    Supporting vulnerable groups: Projects that provide employment opportunities for women, people living with disabilities and in rural areas will be highly considered.
  •    New works and digital arts: Projects that are innovative and introduce new arts through digital artistic presentations, as well as other platforms, will be highly considered.
  •    Capacity building and arts entrepreneurship: The ability of the project to contribute to skills development and setting up of new businesses acumen.

  Applications must be submitted on or before Friday, 13 March 2026 at 11:59pm.

  Applicants need to register and complete the online application form using the following link: https://nac.praxisgms.co.za/. 

  Manual applications can be requested from info@nac.org.za. This service is reserved only for those who lack access to internet services.

  Late and incomplete applications will not be considered, and no exceptions will be made. 
  Funding guidelines can be downloaded from www.nac.org.za .

  For more information, contact info@nac.org.za or call 011 010 8886. –SAnews.gov.za
   

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has outlined plans and activities leading up to the 2026 Armed Forces Day, which will be commemorated on 21 February 2026.

The Armed Forces Day (AFD) will take place in Thohoyandou, Venda, in the province of Limpopo.

Addressing members of the media during a briefing held at the Thulamela Local Municipality Library on Wednesday, the SANDF said AFD remains an important date on the calendar of the Defence Force, having been proclaimed as an annual commemoration on 21 February. 

Armed Forces Day serves a dual purpose of honouring men and women currently serving in uniform, while also remembering about 600 soldiers who lost their lives during the sinking of the SS Mendi in 1917. 

“It is a deeply sombre, yet prideful occasion, balancing the modern excellence of the SANDF and the profound historical tragedy of the SS MENDI. This day is a celebration of courage of those who wear the uniform and we bow our heads in memory of those who never returned from the distant horizon,” the SANDF said in a statement. 

Since its inception in 2013, Armed Forces Day has been commemorated in all nine provinces to expose communities to the SANDF and to enhance public understanding and appreciation of its work. 

The hosting of the 2026 commemoration in the Vhembe District and Thulamela Local Municipality forms part of an ongoing effort to reach rural and outlying communities.

“This event charges the SANDF to showcase itself, heighten [a] sense of patriotism and service to all South Africans,” the briefing noted.

A series of activities will take place in the build-up to Armed Forces Day, culminating in the main event on Saturday, 21 February. The activities include a Career Expo at the Fan Park, an Interfaith Church Service, sport clinics, and a wreath-laying ceremony by the President in honour of fallen members.

Communities will also have an opportunity to witness some of the Defence Force’s military hardware, noting that Armed Forces Day is not only about showcasing equipment and personnel, but also serves as a real-time simulation of the SANDF’s ability to mobilise rapidly across the country.

“As we always say we train, as we fight to be prepared for any eventuality should such arise,” the SANDF said.

The briefing further highlighted the SANDF’s people-centred approach to security, aligned with South Africa’s adoption of human security, which focuses on protecting individuals from non-military threats and emphasises freedom from fear, want and indignity.

Supporting communities affected by floods 

The SANDF also confirmed that it is providing support to communities affected by recent heavy rains and floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Engineers and other specialists have been deployed to assist with disaster management and infrastructure restoration.

“We have brought with us our engineers and other expertise to support with the disaster management efforts in the aftermath of the heavy rains. We will be contributing to infrastructure repairs, like roads and bridges in particular, the purification of water and putting up temporary structures with lighting for those affected,” the SANDF said.

The South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) has also been providing health services in deep rural areas, including Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Vhembe districts.

Health support services offered include medical, animal health, mental health, ancillary health, social and welfare services, as well as environmental health, with specialised services such as ophthalmology, oral health and orthopaedics also provided.

Call for participation

The SANDF called on communities around Thohoyandou and neighbouring towns and villages to participate in the Armed Forces Day activities.

“It is an honour for us to be here and share with you the activities of the SANDF whilst we are here and we can call on all communities around Thohoyandou and neighbouring towns and villages to join the SA National Defence Force in honour of our fallen soldiers and to build a compact with the people’s National Defence Force,” the SANDF said. 

The main Armed Forces Day Parade will take place on 21 February 2026 at Thavhani Mall along the R524 in Thohoyandou. 

The event will be preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial site, where President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will honour those who perished in the SS Mendi tragedy, as well as all SANDF members who have fallen in the line of duty. – SAnews.gov.za