By Palesa Nguqu

With just 40 days remaining before the start of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, thousands of matric learners across the Western Cape are preparing for their final exams.

The Western Cape education department (WCED) has implemented a range of support initiatives, from intensive revision classes during winter and spring holidays to innovative digital learning resources to help students succeed. 

WCED spokesperson, Kerry Mauchline said, “Our dedicated teachers and officials have worked tirelessly to ensure our matric learners are fully prepared for the upcoming exams, with extensive revision classes and support booklets to empower our students to excel in their final exams.”

A key part of these preparations was the WCED’s #BackOnTrack Winter School, which saw nearly 22,000 matric students attending during the mid-year holidays.

These intensive revision sessions, held across eight districts in the province, provided learners with valuable opportunities to strengthen their understanding of key subjects and concepts. 

The winter school was aimed at giving students a head start before the final exams, boosting their confidence and readiness for the challenging exam season ahead.

WCED also provided a comprehensive range of digital learning resources with study guides and online learning platforms, to support learners beyond the classrooms.

These tools are designed to enhance self-study and allow students to access revision materials anytime, anywhere.

As the exams approach, the department emphasised the importance of supporting students’ wellbeing alongside academic preparation recognising the stress that comes with the period.

The WCED said they’ve offered wellness programmes and counseling services to enable learners to manage pressure and stay focused.

“The success of our matric candidates depends not only on their knowledge but also on their mental and emotional resilience, and the collective effort of teachers, parents and communities remains vital in guiding them through this crucial time,” Mauchline said. 

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

When children arrive at school hungry, the simple act of learning can feel like an impossible task.

Across South Africa, malnutrition and stunting remain among the most pressing challenges facing young learners, stripping them of opportunities and leaving long-term cognitive gaps that are difficult to repair.

It is against this backdrop that two faith-based non-profit organisations, The Love Trust and Soul Food, have renewed their commitment to a powerful partnership that addresses both sides of the equation: education and nutrition.

Soul Food CEO Thabo Maluleke confirmed that his NPO has always believed that proper nutrition is a human right.

“It is shocking that 1.7 million children in South Africa, about 27%, are already stunted. Many of them were never given a fair chance at proper nutrition. By narrowing our focus to children between 0 and 10 years old, we are targeting the crucial window where we can make the biggest difference,” Maluleke said.

The collaboration, which began in 2019, has been given fresh momentum following Mandela Day 2025, when Soul Food pledged to provide daily breakfast meals indefinitely to learners at The Love Trust’s Nokuphila School in Thembisa.

The commitment reflects a shared belief that food and education are inseparable in the fight to break the cycle of poverty.

Soul Food has grown into one of the largest hunger relief organisations in South Africa, distributing between 1.5 and 1.7 million meals every month.

Through its network of more than 1,000 centres, the organisation feeds over 70,000 children daily.

Central to this approach are Soul Food’s flagship meal products, designed specifically to tackle childhood hunger and malnutrition.

The POWA Pack, a sorghum-based porridge rich in protein and nutrients, delivers 25 meals from a single 1kg bag and can be prepared as porridge or a shake.

Complementing this is the POWA Loda, a soy-based lunch meal with rice and spices, providing children with a hearty, balanced midday option.

Both products were developed through extensive research and collaboration with food scientists, manufacturers, and academic partners.

In addition to producing its signature meals, Soul Food plays a crucial role in reducing food waste.

Working with retailers such as Woolworths and Checkers, as well as farming partners, the organisation rescues surplus consumable food that is close to expiration.

Trained food pickers ensure that only safe, quality food is redistributed, preventing millions of kilograms of food from being wasted each year.

For The Love Trust, which operates the Nokuphila School in Thembisa and runs a teacher training programme, the renewed partnership with Soul Food represents more than just food provision.

By ensuring that learners receive consistent, nutritious meals, the organisation can redirect resources to other pressing needs such as STEM education, classroom resources, and safe transport.

“Our partnership with The Love Trust is a no-brainer. They are giving children the gift of education, and we ensure that they are nourished enough to learn. Together, we can go over and above a bowl of food and offer children a real future,” Maluleke said.

Founded in 2009, The Love Trust has established itself as a cornerstone of community-driven education in South Africa.

Its Nokuphila School offers quality Christian education to vulnerable children from grades 000 to grade 8, while its teacher training programmes empower disadvantaged women to qualify as early childhood development educators.

The organisation’s vision is to nurture future generations of service-oriented leaders who combine academic excellence with moral and spiritual integrity.

Looking forward, Soul Food is continuing to invest in innovation that could further transform nutrition for South Africa’s children.

The organisation is currently developing POWA Baby, a meal designed for infants aged six months to two years to combat malnutrition from the earliest stages of life.

It is also rolling out NUTRI TRACK, a system that will monitor children’s health and nutrition in real-time, allowing for targeted interventions and improved outcomes.

For both organisations, the mission extends beyond immediate relief to long-term empowerment.

“If we can keep a child in school, learning with energy and dignity, then we have done more than feed them; we have invested in South Africa’s future,” Maluleke said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Akani Nkuna

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) are set to battle it out in the final of the Varsity Women’s Football this month. 

The current holders of the title, UWC, defeated Wits on Monday by a one-goal margin and have their eyes set on clinching the title when they face UJ. 

Following an intense and tight game on Monday, it was substitute Thembelihle Zulu’s 66th minute header that sent UWC into the final. While the UWC goalkeeper had a relatively quiet day between the poles, she was stellar when called upon, serving brilliant saves to keep Wits at bay. 

UJ eliminated TUT during a semi-final match played on Monday at UJ stadium with a dominant performance, scoring unanswered goals from Thato Mafolo and Sthembile Msomi, with player of the match Shannon Macomo rounding off the scoring. 

The win serves as sweet revenge after TUT eliminated UJ in the same stage last year in penalty shoot-outs; however, this year’s display by UJ was nothing short of dominant, characterised by relentless attack and controlled aggression. 

Meanwhile, newcomers UNIVEN Women’s Club received a rude awakening, exiting the campaign without a win — marking a tough debut season. Their last straw was a 4-0 defeat at the hands of CPUT where Zilungile Mathiya opened the scoring in the second minute. UNIVEN trailed by three goals before halftime.

In another exciting playoff match, UP-Tuks edged off NWU by two goals to one. Despite going into the halftime break with a one-goal lead, NWU equalised shortly when play resumed. Tuks restored their advantage when Rose Mashishi netted in the 64th minute, a strike which proved to be the winning goal.

 In what is expected to be a blockbuster final, UWC and UJ will face off at UJ Soweto Stadium on Friday, 19 September. UJ will be expecting to ride on the home-ground advantage wave.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Governments in sub-Saharan Africa have provided school meals to roughly 20 million extra children over the past two years, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Wednesday, showing a move away from dependence on foreign aid and a stronger commitment to education.

The region saw the biggest rise in school feeding of any region, by nearly a third to 87 million in 2024. Ethiopia, Rwanda and even severely impoverished Madagascar and Chad all managed to feed six times as many over the period.

“Government investments in school meals … (signal) a significant shift from reliance on foreign aid to recognising school meals as a strategic public investment in children’s education (and) health,” the report said.

It was a welcome bright spot on a continent plagued by rising numbers of hungry people as a result of extreme weather linked to climate change, armed conflict and food inflation.

A U.N. report at the end of July found that more than one in five Africans, 307 million, were chronically malnourished, meaning hunger is worse than two decades ago.

It predicted the continent would have 60% of the world’s hungry people by 2030.

Poor countries face falling aid from their rich counterparts, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration gutting its aid arm and some European nations slashing assistance to reallocate spending to defend themselves against Russia.

The WFP report found that local farmers had also benefited from the school feeding.

The government of Benin’s buying local food for these programmes contributed over $23 million to the economy in 2024, it said. More than a third of school meals in Sierra Leone came from food produced by smallholder farmers.

It warned, however, that millions of children, especially in some of the lowest income African countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, and South Sudan, still lacked access to school meals, as donor support continued to fall.

REUTERS

By Charmaine Ndlela

Gauteng’s education MEC has condemned the alleged drugging and rape of eight primary school boys as an “unspeakable” act, urging parents to instil values of respect in their children.

Matome Chiloane expressed shock over the Sept. 1 incident at Khomani Primary School in Diepsloot, Soweto.

“Such an unspeakable act should never happen to any learner in Gauteng,” Chiloane said in a statement.

“We sympathise dearly with the affected learners and families, assuring them of our full support during this time.”

The attack, in which a grade 7 boy allegedly stole and drugged a cold drink before giving it to the victims, who were then raped at gunpoint by an adult, has highlighted vulnerabilities in school safety.

“This incident is a reminder of the importance of our collective duty to ensure the safety of our children in and outside of school,” Chiloane added.

“We once again call on parents to play an active role in the lives of their learners, to instil values of respect and integrity that will form the foundation of the education we provide them with.”

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the grade 7 pupil has been suspended, with a disciplinary hearing scheduled for September 17.

The adult perpetrator was arrested, and police investigations are ongoing.  

Psychosocial support has been provided to the victims and families, including assessments by the Teddy Bear Clinic for injuries and well-being.

The condemnation comes as South Africa’s schools grapple with rampant violence and bullying.

The South African Human Rights Commission has found that in primary schools, daily incidents of fighting, intimidation and vandalism are turning learning spaces into places of fear, contributing to emotional trauma and dropouts, particularly among girls.

South Africa also faces one of the world’s highest rape rates. According to police statistics for the final quarter of 2024/25, there were 13, 452 reported sexual offences, with rape cases increasing to 10,688.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said in 2024 that over 106,000 child rape cases and 22 000 sexual assault cases involving children had been reported in the six years to 2023/2024.

The information was provided via a parliamentary question. “On average, this equals approximately 1,472 child rape cases per month,” the party said at the time.

Education officials have called for stronger community involvement and implementation of the National School Safety Framework to combat these issues.

While the department of basic education has said it is implementing the framework across schools, it also said this year it has experienced “serious” capacity constraints such as “staff shortages in district safety directorates, financial limitations, and external environmental challenges such as high crime rates and infrastructure vandalism in certain communities”. 

By Johnathan Paoli

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube came under renewed scrutiny as Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education probed persistent backlogs in school infrastructure and uneven learner outcomes across provinces, despite billions of rand being allocated annually to the sector.

Responding to findings from the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), Gwarube acknowledged that infrastructure remains one of her department’s most pressing challenges.

While progress has been made in eliminating pit latrines, 206 schools continue to operate in unsafe or “inappropriate structures,” with the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Northern Cape worst affected.

“This remains a massive Achilles heel for the department. We are inching closer to the 100% mark on eradicating pit toilets, but progress is slower than desired,” Gwarube admitted.

The pressure came after the FFC highlighted entrenched disparities in school resources, inefficiencies in spending, and weak learner performance in underfunded communities.

Gwarube defended her department’s efforts, citing improvements in mathematics and science through the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) grant, but stressed it is only one intervention among broader reforms.

“It would be misleading to judge the entirety of our effort on the basis of one grant,” she said.

She also assured MPs that the department is reviewing its funding norms to better balance equity, fiscal realism, and sustainability.

FFC chairperson Nombeko Mbava presented stark findings, noting that South Africa’s basic education system—serving over 12.5 million learners—remains marked by unequal resource distribution.

Public schools, particularly in poorer quintiles, face overcrowding, weak infrastructure, and poor matric results. In 2024, only 44.4% of learners in quintile one schools achieved a bachelor pass, compared with 60.3% in quintile five schools.

“Equity in education is not just about allocating funds. It is about ensuring that every learner, regardless of where they are born, has access to the same quality of education, infrastructure, and opportunities,” Mbava warned.

The FFC report highlighted further gaps: more than 82% of schools lack laboratories and computer centres, 74% have no libraries, and 40% are without sports facilities. Even where libraries exist, many are poorly stocked.

Conditional grants showed mixed results.

The Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) reported high expenditure, yet provinces such as the Eastern Cape and North West failed to meet half their maintenance targets.

The ASIDI programme, tasked with eliminating unsafe structures, continues to lag behind schedule.

While the evidence underscored systemic problems, MPs targeted Gwarube personally. EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana criticised her for leaving committee meetings early.

“We cannot continue with a minister who is either absent, leaves early, or doesn’t engage. It is abnormal, and we cannot normalise it,” he said, noting that departmental spending is often reported without baseline data, making it hard to track progress on toilets, classrooms, and laboratories.

ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni added that simply “throwing money at the problem” is insufficient and insisted accountability must rest with the minister.

“We cannot allow ministers to evade responsibility by leaving their deputies and DGs to answer tough questions,” she warned.

Committee chair Joy Maimela defended the committee’s oversight role but encouraged members to formally escalate attendance concerns.

“If the minister’s availability is a challenge, this should be raised with the Speaker,” she said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Metsimaholo Local Municipality has escalated its long-standing concerns over deteriorating school infrastructure, calling on Free State Premier McQueen Letsoha-Mathae to urgently intervene as delays, safety risks and unfinished projects continue to plague local schools.

The latest appeal, issued by DA councillor Stone Makhema on Sunday, follows an oversight visit with DA National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Member of Parliament (MP) Igor Scheurkogel.

The delegation found that critical projects at HM Mthombeni High School in Amelia and Taaibos Primary School in Kragbron remain incomplete despite multiple promises and revised deadlines from the Free State Department of Education.

Construction of Mthombeni school began in 2019 with an initial completion date of 2022.

Yet, more than three years past that deadline, the school remains a construction site.

Twenty of its twenty-eight classrooms still lack electricity, meaning learners often sit in darkness on cloudy or rainy days.

Makhema painted a grim picture of the conditions.

One classroom, he noted, has been converted into a makeshift kitchen where food is prepared with gas stoves—without fire extinguishers or any safety measures in place.

Doors of poor quality require constant replacement, barricades obstruct movement, V-drains stand unfinished, and the school hall has been left half-built since last year.

“Only a handful of contract workers can be seen on site. This clearly shows a lack of urgency from the department,” Makhema said.

The DA argues that learners and educators have been forced to study and teach in unsafe, disruptive conditions that undermine education.

Despite the department’s claim that the project is over 90% complete, the DA says the reality on the ground shows otherwise.

Taaibos Primary School has faced a similar fate.

Refurbishments started in February 2024 with the promise of completion by January 2025.

That deadline was missed, followed by another in the second term of 2025. Oversight visits revealed rubble scattered around the school, half-finished facilities and construction workers often absent from the site.

Children are reportedly still being served meals outside in open spaces because the school kitchen remains unfinished.

The electricity connection is incomplete, and much of the schoolyard requires paving.

According to documents seen by Inside Education, the Department of Education has attributed the delays to “cashflow issues” faced by the main contractor, sequencing problems caused by construction during school hours, and disputes between contractors.

Although a revised completion date of July 2025 was issued, Makhema now says even the latest target dates of September and October appear “an impossible mission”.

“The Free State Department of Education has continuously shifted blame to the Department of Public Works. Meanwhile, our children suffer in hazardous learning environments,” Makhema stressed.

The DA has repeatedly requested joint oversight inspections with the department, but says its calls have been ignored.

Instead, completion dates are moved forward year after year without tangible progress.

“Contractor disputes, non-payment and endless extensions cannot continue to be the excuse. The safety and education of learners must come first,” Scheurkogel said.

The opposition is now demanding Premier Letsoha-Mathae’s direct intervention, arguing that the education department under MEC Mantlhake Julia Maboya has failed to deliver on its promises.

In April, DA MPL Dulandi Leech posed a series of questions in the Free State Legislature regarding the HM Mthombeni project.

The department confirmed that R87.6 million had been allocated, of which over R65 million had been spent by March 2025.

It also revealed that the original joint venture contractor had collapsed due to internal disputes, forcing the appointment of a new service provider, Elebone Multipurpose, with a revised completion date of May 2025.

Despite these assurances, the site remains incomplete months later, intensifying frustration among parents, learners and opposition parties alike.

MEC Maboya has recently launched initiatives such as the 150 Primary Schools that Work programme, promising to strengthen school functionality and performance across the province.

However, the DA argues that such flagship projects ring hollow when basic infrastructure remains unfinished in Metsimaholo.

“Investing in primary education is imperative,” Maboya said at the launch, where she handed over 30,000 digital devices and 367 library trolleys.

Yet, according to Makhema, “No number of tablets can make up for the fact that learners in Metsimaholo are studying in unsafe and incomplete classrooms.”

The DA insists that only the Premier’s office can break the deadlock.

“Premier Letsoha-Mathae must step in and hold the responsible departments accountable. Our learners cannot continue to pay the price for administrative failures,” Makhema urged.

The opposition has pledged to continue monitoring the situation and to push for urgent intervention until the schools are safe and fully functional.

Inside Education reached out to the Free State Department of Education for comment on the state of the schools, with no response being received by the time of publication.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Levy Masiteng 

TVET college students walked away with more than R180,000 in cash prizes at the Allan Gray Makers Competition and South African National Artisan Awards (SANAA), a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship held this week at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg.

Hosted by Allan Gray Makers in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the event recognised and celebrated the contributions of artisans across diverse fields of craftsmanship in South Africa.

The winners included Oratile Sibanyoni from Tshwane North TVET College, who won the Business Idea category and walked away with R50,000.

Rashaad Sambaba from False Bay TVET College won the General Business category and was also crowned Overall Winner of the Year, earning R30,000 for the category and an additional R50,000 from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

Siphokuhle Mcotshana from the College of Cape Town placed second, receiving R30,000 plus another R50,000 from the NYDA.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) noted that this year’s SANAA theme was “Changing Artisanal Identity and Status.”

“These awards highlight the skills, creativity, and cultural significance of artisans who excel in traditional crafts such as welding, motor mechanics, carpentry, and other high-demand trades,” the DHET said in a post.

The celebration was attended by Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela and Deputy Director-General for TVET Colleges, Sam Zungu.

Manamela stressed the central role of artisans in the economy.

“Artisans are the backbone of our nation. They are the electricians who power our homes and industries, the mechanics who keep our economy moving, the plumbers who protect public health, and the welders and millwrights who build the infrastructure of tomorrow. As we transition to a green economy, artisans are not a luxury but a necessity,” he said.

He added that SANAA should not just be an event, but a movement that celebrates excellence, nurtures talent, and affirms the dignity of work.

“Because when we invest in artisans, we invest in the soul of our nation.”

Zungu echoed this, praising artisans as vital to the economy and communities.

“We are here to proudly declare that artisans matter to our economy, our communities, and the future of South Africa,” he said.

False Bay TVET College expressed pride in their students’ achievements: “These victories are more than individual accomplishments — they are a testament to the quality of education, training, and mentorship at False Bay TVET College.”

The College of Cape Town also thanked supporters of Mcotshana, saying: “We truly appreciate your support, colleagues.”

The Allan Gray Makers Competition is funded by Allan Gray Philanthropies and supported by the DHET, Absa South Africa, Future Managers, and SAB.

Sambaba, the overall winner, took to Facebook to express his gratitude.

“This award is more than just a trophy; it’s a validation of my mission to create sustainable change through entrepreneurship, education, and youth development. My journey is just beginning, and this moment fuels my commitment to continue building a legacy that uplifts communities and empowers the next generation of leaders,” said Sambaba.

Manamela called for greater recognition of artisans.

“Let us recognise the value and dignity of artisanal work. Let us celebrate the men and women who build, create, and innovate. They are the pillars of our economy, and they deserve our respect and appreciation,” said Manamela.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Charmaine Ndlela

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has called on parents and guardians to support its latest single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, aimed at protecting young girls from cervical cancer.

The campaign runs from 8 September to 7 November 2025 and is being rolled out at schools across the province. Eligible learners include girls aged 9 to 15 in Grade 5, as well as Grade 6 and 7 pupils who missed their vaccinations in previous years.

Provincial health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba assured parents that the HPV vaccine is both safe and effective. 

“This life-saving initiative highlights the importance of immunising girls before the age of 15, as early protection significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life,” he said.

He added that the vaccine being administered is proven to protect against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancer cases.

“Consent forms are required for participation in the HPV vaccination campaign. Learners aged 12 and older may self-assent,” Modiba explained.

He added: “Vaccinations will be conducted at private primary schools, combined private schools, outstanding public primary schools, and special schools across Gauteng. Grade 5 boys and girls will also receive a booster dose of the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.”

The HPV campaign forms part of the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), which also provides health screenings for vision, hearing, oral health, nutrition, as well as deworming and other onsite services.

According to the Department of Health, “one shot of the HPV vaccine gives girls lifelong protection against cervical cancer-causing viruses”.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Levy Masiteng 

As International Literacy Day is commemorated on Monday, Ricardo Mackenzie the provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, urged residents of the Western Cape to join their local libraries and cultivate a love for reading. 

According to the province’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), they have been working tirelessly to promote literacy through various programs and interventions.

In a statement DCAS said the province has 375 public library service points, 229 rural libraries which provides free internet through over 1,500 workstations and free Wi-Fi access at 180 libraries.

When it comes to materials, they said they have 160,307 hard copy books which were procured in the last financial year, 36,968 e-books, audiobooks, and online magazines that are available for access. 

For the blind and visually the department impaired  37 mini-libraries with 275,194 e-books and 80,990 audiobooks circulated in the past year. 

“Thousands more benefit annually from library storytimes, school class visits, book clubs, reading quizzes, writing competitions, and study support initiatives,” the government said. 

Mackenzie in a statement emphasised that public libraries are more than just buildings with books but they are springboards into learning, opportunity, and hope. 

“On International Literacy Day, we celebrate the everyday heroes—our librarians, volunteers, parents, and young people—who keep the flame of reading alive,” he said. 

Mackenzie continued to say the DCAS aims to build a culture of reading in the province, with library literacy programs directly supporting over 600 residents this year.

He invited every resident to visit their local library, borrow a book or download an e-book, join a reading circle, and sign up for the ALMAL Book Club. 

“Reading opens doors—at school, at work and in life,” Mackenzie proudly said. 

INSIDE EDUCATION