By Lebone Rodah Mosima 

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina has accused government-owned funding agencies of stifling innovation by rejecting start-up applications without feedback.

Speaking at the opening of Innovation Week at Nasrec, she said the state funders needed to stop dismissing applications without guidance and instead help entrepreneurs improve and resubmit them.

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“To the funders, especially government-owned funding instruments like the Innovation Fund, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Public Investment Corporation, the National Empowerment Fund, and others, please stop this practice of rejecting people’s applications without informing them where their applications or business plans fell short,” Gina said.

“As government funders, we have failed so many people; we have shut down so many dreams and prevented potential innovations because we have no care or patience to provide guidance, despite the business sense an application makes,” she said. “Let’s do better for our people.”

“Start-ups may not be good at paperwork, and hiring consultants to handle it can be expensive,” she said.

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She said the department’s 2022-2032 decadal plan aimed to raise gross expenditure on research and development to 1.5% of gross domestic product from about 1%.

Current levels were inadequate, she said.  

“For some time now, R&D funding has been underfunded,” Gina said, adding that industries were not investing enough in research and development.

Universities had also seen a decline in R&D because of revenue pressure, she said.

She said South Africa faced a persistent gap between innovation and commercial uptake, with universities and science bodies sitting on prototypes that were ready for use but not being absorbed by the private sector.

ALSO READ: 40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

Gina said government was trying to close those gaps through the Innovation Fund, administered by the Technology Innovation Agency, which is meant to de-risk early-stage technologies and attract private venture capital.

She said that the country faced a skills mismatch as new technologies, including artificial intelligence, reshaped the economy.

“We have a skills mismatch as a country; more graduates are unemployed because they have skills that this gig economy doesn’t really need,” Gina said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Akani Nkuna

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a sweeping overhaul of South Africa’s Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) system, describing it as ineffective and unfit for purpose.

Ramaphosa said the current framework should be replaced with a dual model that integrates academic learning with skills development and workplace-based training.

He added that South Africa’s advanced financial sector could position the country as a global hub for financial services.

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“The SETA system has not served us well at all, it must now be changed. We must build from our strength as a country to create jobs for the economy of the future. We have one of the most sophisticated financial systems in the world, we can position SA as a destination for financial services,” he said.

Ramaphosa was speaking at the News24 Record Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The summit is aimed to find practical solutions that will help create five million jobs in 10 years.

The summit has brought together local and international experts to explore strategies for economic growth and job creation, and to support the objectives of the National Dialogue.

His remarks come amid mounting criticism of SETAs over governance failures, poor performance and high administrative costs.

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Several SETAs have been placed under administration due to financial mismanagement.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has recently begun a process to merge some SETAs in a bid to improve efficiency, address skills shortages and reduce operational costs.

Ramaphosa said South Africa’s high unemployment rate is rooted in structural factors linked to apartheid-era spatial planning and economic exclusion, which continue to disproportionately affect Black youth.

He stressed, however, that historical injustice should not be used to excuse government shortcomings, calling for intensified efforts to expand economic opportunities, particularly for young people.

“South Africa’s high unemployment is not a result of a single failure. It is the outcome of deep historical, and policy linked factors interacting overtime. To understand it properly, you have to look at it more holistically and that means we have got to look back at where it originates from,” said Ramaphosa, adding that the ambition to create five million jobs over the next decade represents a defining moment for the country.

“Creating jobs is the most and foremost priority of our government. Our single greatest challenge is to translate positive economic momentum into jobs for millions of South Africans who today remain unemployed. A job is more than just an income, it is about dignity, confidence, a sense belonging and an ability to contribute to our society.”

Ramaphosa also called for stronger coordination across government, saying improved intergovernmental cooperation is critical to boosting economic efficiency and inclusivity.

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He said the government is examining international models to restructure the energy sector, describing it as a key driver of future growth.

“And it is when we all work together that we will be able to build a very strong platform for growth in a wide range of sectors, from green, steel to new energy vehicles. We have a thriving agricultural sector that can create a million and more jobs, and we will be focusing on that very, very closely,” said Ramaphosa.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Charmaine Ndlela

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute on Wednesday opened a new technology campus in Johannesburg’s CBD, saying it aims to train unemployed youth for work in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science.

Housed in a newly unveiled 10-storey, 10 065m² campus at 56 Main Street in Marshalltown, the institute aims to equip unemployed youth with high-demand digital skills while contributing to the revitalisation of the inner city.

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The launch forms part of the Institute’s broader “Education Town” vision — an urban renewal initiative focused on transforming the CBD into a safe, vibrant hub for learning that leads directly to employment opportunities.

MNIT will focus on preparing students for careers linked to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, offering training in areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, cloud engineering and digital skills, as well as financial and professional services such as insurance, banking and financial markets, in partnership with industry leaders.

Delivering his keynote address during the launch, CEO and co-founder Dr Taddy Blecher said the initiative builds on the institute’s long-standing mission to empower young people through education.

“This is more than a building; it is a promise to our youth that they will not be left behind by the AI revolution,” Blecher said.

“This building is not just infrastructure, it is a centre for accelerating tech talent and giving young people access to opportunities that were previously out of reach.”

ALSO READ: 40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

“We are training youth in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science, because these are the skills that will define the future of work.”

According to the institute, it has already trained 25 995 young people, 70% of whom are women, with graduate earnings supporting an estimated 175 000 family members. It also says it has provided training to more than 18 000 employed individuals.

“If we can educate 100 000 young people and connect them to meaningful employment, we can inject billions into South African households and fundamentally shift communities out of poverty,” Blecher said.

The institute says its model has delivered a 98% conversion rate of graduates into permanent or long-term employment.

“Our approach is simple — when one student succeeds, they uplift others. Every graduate supports another student and contributes to education in their own community,” he added.

The new campus will further expand these efforts by enabling tailored training for corporate partners, while also creating a pipeline of skilled talent for South Africa’s growing digital economy.

“For 20 years, we have seen that when you unlock the potential in young people, they can compete at the highest global levels,” Blecher said.

“This initiative is about ensuring that young people from underserved communities are not left behind in the digital revolution.”

The development was made possible through the support of South African tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists David Frankel and Tracey Frankel, who supported the new campus. The building was donated by the couple.

“We believe in a future where Johannesburg becomes one of the pre-eminent tech capitals on the continent,” David Frankel said.

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“By providing this infrastructure and nurturing cutting-edge programmes, we are confident that young people will emerge as future tech leaders.”

Tracey Frankel further said that they look forward to seeing students “engaging in learning inside this magnificent building and eventually working in the job that they have been praying for. That is our dream.”

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute is also part of Jozi My Jozi, a coalition that includes major businesses and other partners working to restore economic activity in the inner city.

As part of its Education Town model, the institute has already introduced projects such as Maharishi Park and sports facilities in the CBD, along with safety initiatives in the area, including solar-powered street lighting for students.

By its fifth year, the MNIT campus is expected to reach full capacity and serve as a blueprint for similar tech talent development hubs across South Africa.

“We are not just building a tech institute. We are building an ecosystem where education leads directly to employment and long-term impact,” Blecher said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Vaal crash driver Ayanda Dludla revives bail bid

By Charmaine Ndlela

The driver accused of causing the crash that killed 14 schoolchildren in the Vaal in January is to apply for bail, the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court has heard.

Ayanda Dludla, 22, had previously told the court that he had chosen to remain in custody while investigations continued.

Dludla faces 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder following the 19 January crash on the R553 near Vanderbijlpark.

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The scholar transport minibus he was driving, carrying 16 pupils, collided with a truck, killing 12 children at the scene, while two others later died in hospital.

The state has also charged Dludla with several transport-related offences, including allegedly driving without a valid professional driving permit (PDP) and operating an unlicensed vehicle.

ALSO READ: 40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

His lawyer, Reward Nxumalo, told the media that Dludla is remorseful and struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Nxumalo also said that his client requires psychological intervention, as he is finding it difficult to cope while in custody.

The bail hearing is set for 31 March.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Levy Masiteng 

Learners at Makgori Primary School in North West were expected to return to class on Wednesday after teaching was disrupted by protests over dilapidated infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, the provincial education department said.

The department said a high-level delegation met concerned parents and community members in Makgori Village, in the Ratlou Local Municipality, on Tuesday to address the crisis at the school.

It said measures were being put in place to fill a vacant teaching post, particularly for Natural Sciences and Technology, to help stabilise teaching in the first term of 2026. It also said the school would implement a catch-up plan, including extra classes, to recover lost learning time.

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Parents and community members had raised concerns about deteriorating infrastructure and staff shortages, which they said were undermining teaching and learning conditions. Parents shut the school for about a week over the issues.

The department said a maintenance contractor had already been appointed and would be formally introduced to the community at the start of the 2026/27 financial year to begin major renovations.

North West Education MEC Viola Motsumi said the department was aware of the community’s concerns and had assigned officials to intervene.

“We are fully aware of their challenges, and I have delegated a team of officials to address these issues,” Motsumi said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Forty learners from Ekwazini Secondary School in Mpumalanga were taken to hospital on Tuesday after developing symptoms consistent with food poisoning after eating snacks known as Krunchy Nax, the provincial education department said on Wednesday.

“Initially, three learners reported stomach cramps, prompting school authorities to act swiftly and request medical assistance,” the department said.

As more learners developed similar symptoms, 40 were transported to the hospital for further assessment and observation.

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The department said all affected learners were in a stable, non-critical condition and had since been discharged.

It said health inspectors had been deployed to investigate the incident and that samples of the suspected snacks, as well as other food items and water sources, had been collected for laboratory testing.

While the investigation is under way, the department urged parents and guardians to warn children about the dangers of buying and eating food from unverified and informal shops.

“Parents and guardians are urged to have ongoing conversations with their children about food safety, the risks associated with unregulated products, and the importance of making responsible choices,” the department said.

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The department also praised the response of school management, educators and health officials, saying their swift action helped protect learners and contain the situation.

It said it would continue to monitor developments at the school and provide updates as more information becomes available.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Managa Pillay

World Social Work Day, on 17 March, offers an opportunity to reflect on a profession that quietly but powerfully shapes the lives of individuals, families, and communities across the globe.

In a world increasingly divided by conflict, inequality, displacement, and ecological crises, the 2026 theme “Co-Building Hope and Harmony” is both a reminder and a challenge that the only sustainable way forward is through cooperation, solidarity, and co-creation.

This reflection becomes especially meaningful when considered alongside the values celebrated on Human Rights Day (21 March).

Human rights are not abstract ideals; they are lived realities that must be actively protected, nurtured, and realised. Social work sits at the very heart of this effort.

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At the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG), the quiet power of social work becomes particularly visible.

OWLAG was founded on the belief that girls — especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds — can become transformative leaders when given the right support, education, and environment. Yet access to education alone is not always enough.

Many young women arrive at our door carrying the weight of complex personal histories shaped by poverty, trauma, gender inequality, or exposure to violence.

Social workers operate in spaces where personal challenges intersect with opportunity. They listen, guide, and advocate. They create safe environments where young women can process their experiences, rediscover their confidence, and begin to see themselves not through the limitations imposed by circumstance but through the possibilities of their potential.

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Poverty may have limited access to resources. Gender-based violence may have shaped their understanding of safety and trust. Inequality may have narrowed their sense of what is possible.

Yet with the right support structures, mentorship, and advocacy, these same young women begin to reframe their narratives. They move from surviving to thriving, and eventually to leading.

The student who once doubted her abilities begins to participate more confidently in class discussions, lead student initiatives, or support her peers through similar challenges.

This process reminds us that leadership is often nurtured in the quiet spaces of encouragement, reflection, and care, not just formal spaces.

Social workers also play an essential role in advocating for the broader systems that support women and girls.

Whether working within schools, community organisations, or policy environments, social workers are critical to informing programmes addressing education, safety, and social support.

Investing in social work isn’t just an act of compassion — it is a strategic investment into the very fabric of society.

When women and girls are empowered, communities become stronger, institutions more inclusive, and economies more resilient.

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Research consistently shows that when women lead — whether in education, governance, business, or community life — societies experience greater social stability and improved development outcomes.

At OWLAG, the vision is to nurture young women who will go on to become leaders across diverse sectors of society.

Social work forms a vital part of that journey, operating through a quiet power. It doesn’t always command headlines or public recognition, yet its impact is profound and far-reaching.

Each young woman who discovers her voice, overcomes adversity, and steps forward to lead, carries with her the influence of those who quietly supported her along the way.

On World Social Work Day, it is important that we pause to recognise the impact of this critical function. Social workers are not only service providers — they are advocates, mentors, and catalysts for change.

If we are serious about building a future where women lead boldly and societies flourish with justice and compassion, we must continue to value and invest in the profession of social work.

Because sometimes the most powerful leaders are shaped not in moments of visibility, but in the quiet, patient work of those who believe in their potential long before the world does.

Managa Pillay is Head of Student Affairs, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Charmaine Ndlela

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is set to introduce a law firm appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Grade 5 learner at Reagile Primary School in Tembisa.

The introduction will take place on Wednesday, where the MEC will formally present the legal team to the school community and outline the terms of reference guiding the independent investigation.

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The learner, 10-year-old Milton Neo Mokgoatsane, died on Monday, 16 February 2026, following an incident on the school premises.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the incident occurred during the second break when a group of learners were playing near soccer goal posts.

“It is reported that a group of learners, including the deceased, were playing around the soccer posts when a goal post fell on the learner, resulting in severe injuries,” the department said.

Paramedics were immediately called to the scene and arrived approximately 20 minutes later. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, the learner was declared dead at the scene.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant after videos circulated showing pupils inhaling chemical fumes through improvised devices.

The department said it condemned the behaviour and warned that inhaling chemical substances in this way posed serious and potentially fatal health risks, including brain damage, respiratory failure and sudden death.

“Schools are meant to be safe environments dedicated to learning and the development of our children,” the DBE said.

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“Any activity that endangers the lives and wellbeing of learners undermines this responsibility and will not be tolerated.”

The department called on parents to speak to their children about the dangers of substance abuse and harmful social media trends. It also urged them to watch for behavioural changes, unusual objects brought home or other signs that pupils may be involved in risky activities.

The DBE said schools should immediately strengthen and strictly enforce safety protocols.

This included random inspections, monitoring items brought onto school premises, strengthening life orientation education on substance abuse, peer pressure and risky behaviour, and ensuring prompt intervention by educators.

It also called for closer collaboration between schools, school governing bodies, parents and local authorities to prevent such activities.

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“Provincial education departments are also encouraged to intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of substance abuse and other harmful trends affecting learners,” the department said.

“The safety and well-being of students remain a top priority.”

INSIDE EDUCATION