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The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has welcomed the restoration of stability and the resumption of teaching and learning at UMkhumbane High School in Durban, following a period of disruption that negatively affected the school’s academic programme and the well-being of learners.

The department, led by Head of Department Nkosinathi Ngcobo, witnessed the return of 22 educators and the school principal, Ntokozo Ngobese – marking a significant step towards restoring normality at the school.

The department said a “spirit of optimism and renewed hope” characterised the return of the teachers, with learners enthusiastically welcoming their teachers back to the classroom. The return of educators was met with applause, warm embraces, and excitement from learners eager to resume their academic activities after a prolonged period of uncertainty.

Speaking during a visit to the school on Monday, Ngcobo emphasised that schools must remain centres of excellence, stability and learning, insulated from conflict and focused on delivering educational outcomes.

“The education of our children cannot be compromised. We are encouraged by the spirit of cooperation displayed by all parties in resolving the challenges that confronted the school.

“This outcome demonstrates that constructive engagement and social dialogue remain the most effective tools in addressing disputes while safeguarding the future of our learners,” Ngcobo said.       

On behalf of the Provincial Government and MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka, the department expressed its appreciation to parents, educators, learners, organised labour, the School Governing Body and community leaders for their patience and commitment in reaching an amicable resolution that ensures that teaching and learning return to normal.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to supporting UMkhumbane High School, as it embarks on a new chapter of unity, stability, and academic excellence.

“Every effort will now be directed towards recovering lost teaching time, strengthening learner support programmes, and ensuring that the school continues to fulfil its mandate of providing quality education to all learners.

“The return of peace and order at UMkhumbane High School serves as a powerful reminder that when communities unite behind the common objective of educating children, sustainable solutions can be achieved, and the future of learners can be protected,” Ngcobo said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

By Sandile Nene 
There are moments when time seems to stand still, when millions of hearts and minds are united by a shared experience. Our nation felt this during the 2010 FIFA World Cup when Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a spectacular opening goal for South Africa against Mexico.

Bafana Bafana went on to the draw the game 1-1 and in doing so ignite the dreams of millions during the 2010 World Cup.

Sixteen years have passed since that magical moment, and in a twist of fate, Bafana Bafana will once again face Mexico in the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This time we are the visitors and Mexico is one of the three host nations alongside the United States and Canada.  

On Thursday 11 June 2026 our gladiators will enter a cauldron of noise, passion and national pride.  There may only be 11 men on the pitch, but in reality, they will represent an army of millions back home, united in support and bound by a common belief in the power of the national team.

On this day, time will once again stand still as we watch anxiously on tv screens across the nation. The 11 men on the pitch, coaches and management carry the hopes of a nation on their backs.  But they are not alone, they are the embodiment of the resilience and courage of our nation on a global stage.

Time after time we have defied expectations and proven the naysayers wrong. It has always been our greatest strength that when we come together as a nation, anchored by our shared commitment to our country, we can achieve the impossible.

Let us therefore dream of victory and glory on far away fields, while working to ensure that we make our country a better place for all. Let us use this moment of unity and national pride to build a better South Africa.  

Bafana Bafana taking to the field presents an opportunity for us to leave our comfort zones and interact meaningfully with other South Africans. Together we can turn conversations around the water cooler and coffee stations into zones where we interact openly, helping break down the barriers of race, class and cultural differences.

As a nation we share a painful past, but this must not stop us from building a united future for all. Building a shared future requires all South Africans to embrace a common national identity that instils us with pride, patriotism, love for our country, nation building and social cohesion.

To simply assume that the wounds of the past will heal without tangible interventions, dialogue and honest conversations is unwise. We are all united by the love for our flag, our national heroes and our country.  These shared bonds can serve as a catalyst for greater understating, social cohesions and a better tomorrow for all.

Together we can be the generation who builds a better future where we aim to maximise the things we have in common and minimise that which divides us. A future where our diversity and unique heritage unites and inspires us as a nation.

It is this fire that will fuel Bafana Bafana in the cauldron of battle as they face Mexico in the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Our support will carry our boys as they seek to conquer all before them, and the collective screams of support from millions back home will reverberate in the Estadio Azteca as Bafana Bafana take to the field.

Let us rally behind our national team, wear our Bafana Bafana jerseys with pride and use this moment to strengthen nation-building, unity and social cohesion across our country.  

*Nene is the Acting Deputy Director-General at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the deployment of additional national specialised capabilities to augment provincial teams in the investigation of the Cleveland shooting incident.

Dimpane also noted the swift response by the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner and operational teams, following the mass shooting incident, which claimed the lives of 12 people.

The additional specialised resources include members from Forensic Services, Tactical Response Teams and other specialised investigative resources to accelerate efforts aimed at identifying, tracing and apprehending those responsible for the incident.

A multidisciplinary task team comprising provincial and national experts will work around the clock to pursue all investigative and intelligence leads, including the tracing of the white Toyota Quantum allegedly linked to the incident.

According to the police, the shooting incident took place shortly after 23:00 on Tuesday. The police arrived at the scene and found multiple victims with gunshot wounds and immediately requested emergency medical assistance.

Police allege that more than 10 suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland before entering the informal settlement through two access points. The suspects allegedly moved through the area, firing at residents at several locations before fleeing in the same vehicle.

“We have reinforced provincial efforts with additional national specialised resources to ensure that the investigation is expedited and that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice,” Dimpane said.

The Acting National Commissioner has conveyed her condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

Police investigations remain ongoing, and anyone with information that may assist is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously via the MySAPS App. – SAnews.gov.za

With the opening whistle set to mark the start of the FIFA Soccer World Cup on Thursday, government has called on South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana as they prepare to face Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA Soccer World Cup.

“Government calls on all South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana as they carry the hopes and pride of the nation onto the field at Mexico City Stadium. South Africa will face Mexico on Thursday (11 June) at 21:00pm (South African time)  in the opening match of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup,” Acting Government Spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said on Wednesday.

She added that the national soccer team continues to demonstrate determination, discipline and the fighting spirit that defines South Africa.

“As they represent South Africa on the global stage, let us unite in support of our boys by proudly wearing our colours, raise our voices and stand together behind the team.”

Government is encouraging South Africans to wear green or gold on Bafana Fridays as a visible show of support for the team and to demonstrate the unity and spirit of the nation behind our players.

“Football has the power to bring South Africans together and inspire a shared sense of national pride and unity. To Bafana Bafana: the nation stands with you. Fly the South African flag high and continue to make us proud,” she said in a statement issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The team has been training at its base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, since last week to help the players acclimatise to the altitude of 2,300 metres above sea level.

READ | Bafana gear up for thrilling World Cup opener against Mexico

The opening match will take place at the Estadio Azteca.

In a recent newsletter to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national men’s football team.

“They carry with them the best wishes of more than 62 million South Africans who will be cheering them on at every stage of the tournament. Bafana Bafana are taking part in the World Cup for the first time since we hosted the event in 2010,” the President said in the newsletter.

READ | Bafana Bafana arrive in Mexico

This year’s FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

South Africa and Italy have strengthened their agricultural and trade relations following the final approval of a technical agreement that will pave the way for the export of Italian table grapes to the South African market.

The agreement was confirmed during a bilateral meeting between Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, and South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, on the sidelines of the inaugural South Africa–Italy Agribusiness Forum, currently underway in Cape Town in the Western Cape.

The forum is being held under the theme: “South Africa and Italy Building Resilient, Value-Added Agri-Business Partnerships: From the Soil to the Shelf.”

The two Ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations that resulted in the formal acceptance of the work plan governing the export of Italian table grapes, a development regarded as a significant milestone for the agricultural sectors of both countries and a catalyst for deeper economic cooperation.

Lollobrigida described the agreement as a major breakthrough for Italy’s fruit and vegetable industry.

“The opening of the South African market to Italian table grapes recognises the excellence and quality of our products and confirms the effectiveness of our diplomatic and commercial efforts,” Lollobrigida said.

He added that the agreement aligns with Italy’s broader strategy of strengthening economic partnerships with Africa and expressed optimism that similar arrangements could be extended to other products, including apples, in future.

The agreement is expected to expand market opportunities for Italian producers, while enhancing agricultural trade between the two countries through complementary production seasons and increased commercial collaboration.

Fostering trade and innovation 

Addressing delegates at a gala dinner hosted by Lollobrigida and the Italian delegation at Idiom Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands on Tuesday, Steenhuisen highlighted the growing partnership between South Africa and Italy. He described the forum as an important platform for fostering trade, investment and innovation in agriculture.

Steenhuisen said the day’s engagements had revealed significant untapped opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

“What stood out to me was not simply the opportunities that were identified, but the enthusiasm with which people engaged with one another. Throughout the day, I saw business leaders exchanging ideas, researchers making new connections, and people from two different countries discovering how much they have in common,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister emphasised that the long-term success of bilateral cooperation is rarely built through official agreements alone, but also on shared experiences and through the confidence that comes from understanding one another’s perspectives and ambitions.

“Agriculture is ultimately a people business. It may involve technology, machinery, science and innovation, but at its heart, it is still about people, farmers who rise before the sun, families who have worked the same land for generations, entrepreneurs willing to take risks, researchers searching for solutions, and businesses looking for new opportunities,” the Minister said.

He noted that South Africa and Italy share strong agricultural traditions, a commitment to innovation and a deep appreciation for food, agriculture, family, tradition and the importance of preserving what they inherit, while continually innovating for the future.

“Agriculture is about far more than production alone. It is about communities, culture, heritage and the people whose livelihoods depend on the success of the sector. Across both South Africa and Italy, agriculture has helped shape landscapes, sustain rural economies and create traditions that are passed from one generation to the next. Those shared values provide a strong foundation for the partnership we are building,” Steenhuisen said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

South Africa will host the 9th Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Summit of Heads of State or Government, the 56th SACU Council of Ministers and Quarterly Meetings of SACU Institutions next week.

The sessions will be held from 18-26 June 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC2) in Cape Town, said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

The meetings will bring together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, senior government officials and delegates from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.

SACU predates modern trade and customs Agreements, and it remains the oldest functioning Customs Union. It was originally established by the British colonial power in the 1880s. – SAnews.gov.za