By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says years of neglect and infrastructure failure in the ANC-led Lesedi Local Municipality have left pupils at the no-fee Zikhethele Secondary School in Devon, Johannesburg, struggling to learn in flooded and unsafe classrooms.

In a statement on Monday, DA Midvaal councillor Mokete Motsamai said the party had conducted an oversight visit to the school as part of a broader assessment of governance and service delivery in the municipality.

“The oversight visit revealed a state of critical decline,” Motsamai said. “The road infrastructure surrounding the school is failing, marked by numerous potholes.”

The DA accused the municipality of failing to act despite repeated complaints from the community. “This clearly sends a message to these children that they are not valued and are forgotten by the ANC,” Motsamai said.

He said the absence of a stormwater drainage system had caused severe flooding on school grounds. “It was found that several classrooms have been flooded and are currently unable to be utilised by the school community, directly disrupting learning,” he said.

Residents told the oversight team that the problems had persisted since 2019, with no municipal intervention. “This leaves students broken and beaten down, as the feeling that there is no hope for change mounts, crushing motivation,” Motsamai said.

He added that the deterioration of infrastructure had “left learners and residents to bear the brunt of an unsafe and deteriorating environment, as well as a deeper sense of loss of dignity”.

The DA called on the municipality to urgently repair the damaged infrastructure and “restore the school and create a conducive learning environment so that students’ dreams can be rekindled”.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), the Uyilo e-Mobility Programme at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), and Volvo Cars South Africa, has launched the e-Mobility Energy Drive, a landmark initiative aimed at demonstrating the viability of electric vehicles (EVs) for long-distance travel in South Africa.

Taking place from 28–30 October 2025, the Energy Drive will culminate at the Uyilo e-Mobility Innovation Summit in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. According to the DSTI, the summit is a flagship Transport Month event showcasing South Africa’s progress toward a sustainable mobility future.

The vehicle undertaking the drive—a Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate—will collect real-world data on EV performance, charging efficiency, and energy consumption over a route stretching from Johannesburg to Gqeberha, crossing Gauteng, the Free State, and the Eastern Cape.

“This initiative proves that clean mobility is not just a vision for the future, it is happening now,” said Mandy Mlilo, Acting Chief Director: Hydrogen and Energy at DSTI.

“Through strategic partnerships with SANEDI, Uyilo and Volvo, we are building public confidence in electric mobility, advancing our just energy transition goals and reducing our national carbon footprint.” 

The department and SANEDI said the Energy Drive will also raise public awareness around clean mobility and engage communities along the route.

A senior representative from the Uyilo e-Mobility Programme said the Energy Drive and Summit will serve as a powerful platform for collaboration between government, academia, and industry.

“The Uyilo e-Mobility Summit and this Energy Drive create a powerful platform to accelerate collaboration across government, academia, and industry,” said the senior representative from the Uyilo e-Mobility Programme.

“As we mark Transport Month, we are proud to position South Africa as an emerging leader in the global shift toward smart, sustainable mobility.” 

SANEDI CEO Dr. Titus Mathe added that the initiative highlights the nation’s growing capacity and commitment to cleaner transportation.

“This partnership reflects our nation’s growing capacity and commitment to cleaner transportation. By aligning research, innovation, and public engagement, we are driving tangible progress toward a low-carbon, energy-efficient future,” Mathe said.

The DSTI and SANEDI further said that the e-Mobility Energy Drive underscores South Africa’s commitment to building a resilient, sustainable transport ecosystem that supports economic growth, environmental sustainability, and energy justice.

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By Levy Masiteng

The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) has cleared the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education of R2.62 billion in irregular expenditure, following a thorough investigation and assessment of two contracts.

The finding arises from the 2022/2023 financial year and, according to the AG, is based on non-compliance with the principles outlined in Section 217 of the Constitution and Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). As of 31 March 2025, the expenditure on these two contracts stood at R2.62 billion.

In a statement released this week, the AGSA said the department had initially disclosed the amount as irregular expenditure under assessment in the annual report, in line with the National Treasury Instruction no. 4 of 2022/2023, to allow for further assessment and investigation.

However, during the 2024-25 financial year audit, the department disputed the finding and consulted with the provincial treasury and the AGSA.

The AGSA said its technical audit support unit conducted a further assessment, which found that the contracts were not irregular. “The technical assessment has subsequently found that the contracts are not irregular,” the AG said, “the department’s own assessment, in consultation with provincial treasury, has also concluded that the contracts are not irregular.”

KZN’s MEC of Education, Sipho Hlomuka, welcomed the revised findings and said the outcome reflects the department’s commitment to providing accurate information, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring full compliance with applicable legislation and financial management standards.

“We value the role of the Auditor-General as an independent oversight institution that strengthens transparency, accountability and good governance. This development isa testament to the commitment by the MEC to ensure the development of a post audit action plan to implement the recommendations highlighted in the AG’s report,” Hlomuka added.

According to the department, the AGSA’s findings are a significant victory for them, as they had been facing potential financial implications and reputational damage due to the irregular expenditure allegations.

The department added that the clearance comes as a relief, allowing it to focus on its core mandate of delivering quality education to learners in KZN.

“We will continue to manage public resources responsibly to ensure that every rand spent contributes to the improvement of teaching and learning in our schools,” said Hlomuka.

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“Education is not a spectator sport; it is a national imperative that must be accessible to all,” said Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, speaking at the launch of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2024 South Africa Report on Thursday.

TALIS, a large-scale international survey led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), collects detailed self-reported data from teachers and school leaders on their working conditions, teaching practices, and learning environments.

The data supports evidence-based education policy formulation.

Gwarube noted that South Africa remains the only African nation to have participated in TALIS twice—first in 2018 and again in 2024.

“We stand here with a sense of pride, as this places our country in a position of continental leadership in evidence-led policymaking,” she said.

Addressing school safety, Gwarube acknowledged incidents of violence in schools but described them as showing a “downward trend.” She emphasised ongoing efforts to make schools safer.

“We signed a Safer Schools Protocol with the South African Police Service earlier this year, and rollout has begun in crime hotspot areas such as Inanda Township in KwaZulu-Natal, Emfuleni and Manenberg in the Western Cape, and uMtata and Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape,” she said.

The Minister also revealed that South Africa now has one of the youngest teaching cohorts globally.

“This means our efforts to attract young people into the profession are bearing fruit,” she said.

The average teacher age has dropped from 43 in 2018 to 41 in 2024, while the OECD average rose to 45. In addition, 62% of South African teachers reported that teaching was their first-choice career, up from 49% in 2018.

On gender representation, Gwarube noted that 62% of teachers are women, but only 32% of principals are female.

“Despite this leadership gender gap, South Africa is performing above the OECD average of 15% for female school principals,” she added.

She further stressed the importance of mother tongue-based bilingual education (MTbBE), which equips teachers to work effectively in multicultural and multilingual classrooms.

“In 2025, the MTbBE programme will extend mother tongue instruction beyond Grade 3 into Grade 4, starting with mathematics and natural science and technology,” Gwarube announced.

The minister also said the department is committed to reducing administrative burdens so that educators can focus on teaching.

“A mandate task has been given to the newly operational National Education and Training Council to develop tools and systems to ensure teachers are not overburdened by administrative tasks,” she said.

Gwarube said the TALIS findings align with the department’s curriculum reforms and literacy accelerator programmes.

“TALIS confirms what our reforms already recognise: strong foundations are not optional—they are the oxygen of learning,” she said.

Gwarube also paid tribute to South Africa’s educators:

“To all our teachers: your work is not in vain. Your voices, captured in this report, are now part of our agenda for transformation. Let us move forward with the courage to change, the humility to learn, and the urgency to act,” she said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Rodah Mosima and Marcus Moloko

Eight Milnerton High School pupils are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

The group was caught in a video allegedly assaulting a Grade 10 pupil.

Two additional videos have emerged in connection with the violent assault of a Milnerton High School learner, according to Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond.

The first video, which surfaced on social media on Wednesday, shows a Grade 10 pupil being viciously beaten by fellow students.

The footage sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for decisive action against school bullying.

The incident — currently under investigation by the provincial education department — occurred on October 16 after school hours.

The 16-year-old victim is seen being assaulted with a belt, hosepipe, and stick by a group of older boys, reportedly members of the school’s first rugby team.

Other learners can be seen watching and cheering during the attack.

The department confirmed that eight Grade 11 learners have been suspended in connection with the incident.

Hammond said the school – which is conducting its own investigation – was adhering to legal procedure.

“There is a process that’s taking place. That is what we have to respect,” she said.

“The disciplinary process is governed by law. The school needs to have a disciplinary hearing now. They’re currently gathering evidence. Two other videos have come to light involving some of the learners in the first video, and that will be placed in the investigation file.”

Hammond added that the alleged offenders cannot be expelled immediately.

“If the school had expelled the learners, then they would have every right to walk in the door of that school the next day, and this whole process would fall apart. The school is following due process as governed by law,” said Hammond.

“The disciplinary hearing needs to happen, and then only will there be a recommendation, and it is the head of department, not the school, that makes the decision regarding expulsion.”

The victim, who recently completed chemotherapy after a battle with cancer, has reportedly asked to be home-schooled due to the trauma caused by the attack.

His mother, in an audio message shared on social media, said the assault had dealt a devastating blow to her son’s recovery and emotional well-being.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa has announced funding for 10 transdisciplinary research projects, each led by researchers based at African institutions.

The NRF is an independent statutory body created to advance research and innovation in South Africa.

In a statement released this week, it said that in collaboration with the Belmont Forum, it invited climate change researchers across Africa to apply for CRA (Collaboration Research Funding) over a year ago.

“The Belmont Forum is a group of funding agencies from around the world that support transdisciplinary, globally representative research groups and coproduction/participatory methods to address various global environmental change topics,” the NRF said.

It said the initiative sought to address “knowledge gaps and priorities in addressing climate change vulnerability across the continent,” identified during scoping sessions with researchers.

The work, it added, was carried out in support of the African Union’s climate, environment, and sustainability goals and priority areas for Agenda 2063.

The CRA focused on three main themes: the water-energy-food-health nexus, pollution, and disaster preparedness, responsiveness, and recovery. The “green and blue economy” was identified as a cross-cutting issue, while education and awareness were encouraged as complementary activities.

According to the NRF, the funding call generated 172 pre-proposals, while 59 full proposals were submitted by researchers from across the world.

The 10 projects ultimately selected were “led by researchers based at African institutions … following a comprehensive review”.

The selected projects will each be funded for three years, and “represent diverse research efforts that address the complex challenges at the interface of climate, environment, and health in Africa,” the statement said.

“This is one of the most significant funding administration initiatives the NRF has undertaken in recent years,” said Dr Nare Prudence Makhura, Executive Director: International Grants and Partnerships.

“It reflects our strong commitment to supporting African-led, solutions-driven research that tackles the pressing challenges of climate change on the continent. Equally, it highlights the sophistication of our funding administration systems to effectively manage complex, multi-partner international collaborations.”

The NRF said €4.29 million (R86.7 million) had been committed over three years by 14 funders. The NRF will contribute €1 million to support the participation of South African researchers in the initiative”.

Across the 10 projects, there are a total of 126 team members. Ten are African consortium leads, 29 are co-principal investigators and 87 are project partners.

The participants include 87 natural scientists, 23 social scientists, and 16 societal partners.

“In terms of continental representation, 97 of the team members are from Africa, representing 16 countries: Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda; five are from Asia, represented by Turkey; 17 are from Europe represented by France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland; six are from North America, represented by the United States of America; and one is from South America, represented by Brazil,” said the statement.

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By Palesa Nguqu 

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr. Mimmy Gondwe says the African Union (AU) Skills Week has demonstrated the continent’s collective resolve to build a skilled, innovative, and resilient workforce.

Gondwe made the remarks at the conclusion of her working visit to the Africa Skills Week, held from 13 to 17 October 2025 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability,” the annual event serves as a continent-wide platform for promoting youth skills development and brings together policymakers, educators, industry leaders, and youth from across Africa to share best practices, launch strategic initiatives, and strengthen collaboration aimed at empowering young Africans for employment and entrepreneurship.

“We must continue to collaborate, share knowledge, and implement strategies that empower our youth and unlock Africa’s full potential. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all Africans,” said Gondwe.

The Skills Week aligns with the broader goals of Agenda 2063, the AU’s strategic framework to transform Africa into a global powerhouse focused on economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

During the week-long programme, Gondwe participated in a high-level ministerial panel on skills development and attended both the opening and closing ceremonies.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Continental TVET Strategy 2025–2034, which underscores Africa’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and economic resilience.

On the sidelines of the Skills Week, Gondwe held bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, including Ethiopia’s Minister of Labour and Skills, H.E. Muferihat Kamil Ahmed, to exchange best practices on youth skills development and explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to link unemployed youth with job opportunities.

She also met with AU Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitisation, Lerato Mataboge, to discuss potential collaboration between the DHET and the African Union.

“The five-day Africa Skills Week brought together over 850 participants from AU member states, regional organisations, TVET leaders, academics, and youth. It promoted learning, dialogue, and collaboration. South Africa remains committed to knowledge sharing, research, and implementation — ensuring no African youth is excluded from the skills revolution that will define the Africa we want and need,” said Gondwe.

According to Gondwe’s spokesperson, Sipho Stuurman, South Africa’s readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) must be treated as a systemic transformation of education — encompassing policy, financing, institutional preparedness, and industry participation, rather than being viewed merely as a curriculum reform.

He noted that this aligns with the AU’s Continental TVET Strategy, which prioritises employability, lifelong learning, and integration with science, technology, and innovation.

“The Department, through the TVET Branch and with support from SETAs such as ETDPSETA and merSETA, has launched 15 operational 4IR centres,” Stuurman said.

He further advocated for curriculum updates across all qualifications to include digital literacy, data and AI basics, automation, robotics, and critical thinking skills.

Stuurman also underscored the importance of modular micro-credentials, noting that they allow learners to progressively accumulate skills and adapt to rapidly changing labour market needs.

“The post-school education and training (PSET) system should incorporate modular micro-credentials so learners can accumulate skills progressively,” he said.

He added that expanding workplace-based learning through stronger employer partnerships is essential to ensure that learners gain practical experience with real 4IR technologies.

Highlighting a successful example, Stuurman said the Takealot–DHET Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) illustrates how the TVET system can align with global megatrends.

“Takealot, one of South Africa’s largest e-commerce platforms, represents a real-world ecosystem that links digital transformation, green innovation, and youth employability — positioning TVET as a vital driver of future-ready, opportunity-driven skills development in South Africa,” he said.

INSIDE EDUCATION