By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Three universities of technology have launched a high court application in Pretoria over an unresolved dispute with the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC).  

In a joint statement, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Durban University of Technology (DUT), and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) said discussions with the SADTC on accreditation, assessment and registration processes had continued since 2019 without resolution.

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The three universities are the only South African institutions training dental technicians and technologists.

They said the unresolved discussions had resulted in no new student intakes over a number of years, placing the programmes at risk.

“The five students who graduated from TUT since 2023 constitute the country’s graduate output,” the universities said.

“Dental technicians and technologists are essential members of the oral healthcare team. A prolonged shortage will harm public access to dental services.”

The universities said that technician work undergoes multiple layers of professional review before reaching the dentist, who retains final responsibility for patient care.

The institutions are asking the high court for various orders, including setting aside what they said was SADTC’s unfair and unilaterally imposed current final practical examination framework.

According to the statement, the framework requires a diploma student to fail if any one of 112 binary pass/fail criteria is failed. The universities said the framework was not aligned with national or international norms and standards.

They are also asking the court to require the SADTC to register 159 “pipeline students” who lawfully completed their qualifications before 2022.

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The universities said the application was launched to enable the sustainable continuation of dental technology training and to ensure continued student intake in the programmes.

“We call on the Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Department of Health to support a swift, constructive outcome that safeguards high-quality dental technology education and meets South Africa’s oral health needs,” the universities said.

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By Levy Masiteng 

Commuters in several provinces will pay more for minibus taxi trips after taxi associations this week announced fare increases on local and long-distance routes.

In the Western Cape, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) confirmed during a media briefing in Bellville on Thursday that fares on several routes would increase from Monday.

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Speaking at the briefing, Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) chairperson Nceba Enge apologised to commuters for the short notice.

“We want to apologise to the commuters for maybe not giving them enough notice. But prior to this increase, we issued a statement where we notified our commuters that prices will increase because operators cannot pay for their vehicles. Their vehicles are being repossessed by financial institutions. So that forced us with no choice but to increase,” he said.

Enge said CODETA and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) had met in Nyanga to discuss the effect of rising fuel costs before consulting regions across the Western Cape.

Commuters on some local routes can expect increases of between R2 and R3, while long-distance routes will also be affected.

The single-trip fare to the Eastern Cape will increase from R1,000 to R1,150, while the special Thursday trip will rise from R1,250 to R1,400. The special Wednesday trip will increase from R1,200 to R1,350.

Passengers travelling to Saldanha will also pay more, with the single-trip fare increasing from R1,000 to R1,200 and the special trip fare rising from R1,300 to R1,450.

The long-distance fare increases are expected to take effect from Thursday, 21 May.

Gauteng

In Gauteng, the Hebron Taxi Association said its fare increases would take effect from next month. The association said local-distance fares would increase by R3, while short-distance commuters would pay R5 more.

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The Hammanskraal Taxi Organisation also confirmed fare increases from next month, with local routes increasing by R3 and short-distance fares by R5.

Similarly, the Northern Tshwane Taxi Industry announced fare hikes effective from next month, with commuters expected to pay an additional R3 on local trips and R5 on short-distance routes.

Limpopo

In Limpopo, the Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association (SPTA) confirmed that fare increases would come into effect from Monday.

Affected routes include Seshego to Polokwane town, Extension 70s, Emdo, Ladanna, Mall of the North and surrounding areas. The fare is expected to increase by R5.

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“After careful consideration, the industry has been left with no choice but to adjust fares in order to keep services running and protect the long-term sustainability of public transport for commuters,” SANTACO said.

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By Levy Masiteng

Families in the greater Hluvukani region affected by recent floods received essential household items on Wednesday as government departments, municipalities and humanitarian organisations joined forces to assist communities still recovering from the disaster.

The relief initiative was led by the Department of Social Development in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organisation, Ehlanzeni District Municipality and Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.

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Hundreds of residents gathered to receive aid packages containing grocery hampers, cleaning materials, gas stoves, gas cylinders, kitchen utensils, blankets, plastic containers and other household essentials aimed at helping families rebuild their lives after the floods destroyed property and displaced residents.

Bushbuckridge mayor Moroane thanked stakeholders and humanitarian partners for their continued support to struggling families.

The intervention follows severe flooding in Bushbuckridge earlier this year after persistent heavy rains battered parts of Mpumalanga, causing rivers to overflow, roads to become inaccessible and homes to be damaged across several communities.

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The Mpumalanga Department of Education temporarily suspended classes in Bushbuckridge due to dangerous weather conditions and flooded roads affecting learners and teachers.

Government assessments later revealed that more than 2,000 households in Bushbuckridge were affected by the floods, with several wards suffering extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Wednesday’s handover in Hluvukani formed part of an ongoing humanitarian response aimed at helping affected residents recover from months of hardship caused by the severe weather conditions.

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By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Durban-born researcher Dr Sahil Tulsi has provided important new insights into how genetic differences among South Africans may influence responses to TB treatment.

Tulsi, who earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Virology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, examined how genetic variation affects the way patients process anti-TB medication in his study, Influence of Drug Transporter Gene Polymorphisms on Pharmacogenetic and Treatment Outcomes in African Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cohorts.

His research highlights a critical gap in global health science — the underrepresentation of African genetic data in studies that inform treatment approaches.

“South African patients may respond differently to TB treatment because of their unique genetic makeup,” Tulsi said.

“Understanding these differences moves us closer to more personalised treatment for TB and HIV rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Tulsi’s work highlights how genetic diversity can influence drug absorption, distribution and elimination.

Analysing data from 1,407 black South African participants in KwaZulu-Natal, he identified specific genetic variants that affect how the body processes moxifloxacin, a key anti-TB drug.

One variant in particular was linked to reduced drug concentrations, suggesting that some patients may metabolise the drug more rapidly than others.

While these variants were not directly associated with TB susceptibility, HIV infection or recurrence, further genome-wide analysis revealed additional understudied genetic markers linked to HIV and TB co-infection, as well as TB recurrence, with notable differences compared to non-African populations.

“These findings show that understudied genetic variants unique to African populations potentially influence treatment outcomes,” Tulsi said.

“Future studies may help to validate the potential of these variants to serve as biomarkers to guide dosing strategies and improve treatment success.”

Professor Veron Ramsuran, who supervised Tulsi’s study, said the implications were significant.

“By paving the way for precision medicine approaches tailored to African populations, the research could help reduce treatment failure and relapse rates, ultimately strengthening healthcare outcomes in communities hardest hit by TB,” Ramsuran said.

Tulsi said completing his PhD was a rewarding achievement.  

“I feel a great sense of pride in having achieved this personal goal and in contributing, even in a small way, to the advancement of science,” he said.

Tulsi completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at UKZN.

Inspired by early exposure to infectious disease research during his time with the Medical Research Council TB Unit and the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research, Tulsi developed a passion for understanding the intersection of microbiology and human health.

He credited his success to the support of Ramsuran, as well as funding from GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, and encouragement from his wife, Nazley Tulsi.

Currently a Senior Genomics Sales Specialist at Illumina, Tulsi works across Southern and East Africa, supporting advanced genomic technologies, including next-generation sequencing and microarray workflows.

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By Peter Kriel

One of the most important expectations placed on higher education today is that it prepares students for successful careers. 

While intellectual development remains central to the mission of universities, students increasingly seek – rightly so – educational experiences that provide clear pathways into professional life.

Career-focused education, therefore, plays a vital role in connecting academic learning with the practical realities of the workplace. 

For this reason, it is incumbent on universities to actively strengthen the link between learning and employability.

Students enter higher education with the hope that their qualifications will enable them to build meaningful careers. Institutions therefore have a responsibility to ensure that academic programmes provide both theoretical depth and opportunities for practical application.

Career-focused education does not diminish the intellectual value of higher education. Rather, it enhances it by ensuring that academic knowledge can be applied to real-world contexts.

In today’s economy, employers seek graduates who can demonstrate both subject knowledge and practical capabilities. Skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving are highly valued across industries.

Universities must help students develop these competencies by integrating practical life skills opportunities into academic programmes. Work-integrated learning, internships, project-based learning, and industry collaborations also provide students with valuable opportunities to apply what they have learned in real-world settings.

These experiences help students build confidence while also developing the professional skills that employers seek. 

Institutions seeking to strengthen career-focused education can consider the following approaches:

Expand work-integrated learning opportunities

Internships, practical placements, and industry projects allow students to gain direct exposure to professional environments. This means that students graduate with practical experience that enhances employability.

Strengthen career guidance and development services

Career counselling, CV workshops, and interview preparation help students transition successfully into the workplace. Students, therefore, gain clarity about career pathways and develop stronger job-search skills.

Develop strong employer partnerships

Collaboration with industry partners can provide insights into emerging skills requirements and new employment opportunities. Institutions must strengthen their alignment with labour market needs.

Embed professional skills – including AI skills – within curricula

Communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills should be integrated into academic programmes rather than treated as separate activities. This would allow graduates to become well-rounded professionals capable of contributing effectively in the workplace.

In addition, universities should explicitly teach students how to responsibly and effectively use AI tools, given the rapidly changing nature of the workplace. This includes developing critical AI literacy skills such as prompt engineering, ethical AI use, evaluating AI-generated outputs, and integrating AI to augment human capabilities rather than replace them.

Encourage entrepreneurship and innovation

Not all graduates will follow traditional employment pathways. Institutions that promote entrepreneurial thinking help students identify opportunities to create their own ventures. 

It is also a fact that entrepreneurship contributes to job creation and economic development.

Given all this, it is clear that career-focused education delivers benefits that extend beyond individual graduates.

For students, it increases confidence and preparedness as they transition from study to employment. Exposure to professional environments helps students better understand industry expectations and workplace dynamics.

For institutions, strong employability outcomes enhance reputation and strengthen relationships with industry partners.

For society, career-focused education contributes to economic growth by ensuring that graduates possess the skills required to support innovation and productivity.

Higher education institutions have a unique opportunity to shape the future workforce by designing programmes that combine academic excellence with practical relevance. 

Institutions that embrace career-focused education ultimately strengthen their contribution to society.

When higher education institutions actively connect learning with professional opportunity, they empower graduates to build careers that are both personally fulfilling and economically productive. 

As economies evolve and industries continue to transform, the ability of higher education to bridge the gap between learning and the workplace is essential.

 Peter Kriel is Executive: Operations at The Independent Institute of Education.

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By Akani Nkuna

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has joined iStore Education and iSchoolAfrica for the launch of the iSchoolAfrica Coding and Robotics Centre at Igugu Primary School in Soweto, calling for equal access to 4th Industrial Revolution tools across the country.

Dube-Ncube said the centre was a significant step towards advancing digital literacy and equipping learners, especially those from township schools, with future-ready technological skills while helping to address the country’s digital divide.

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“Coding is a language. Robotics is a language. Artificial Intelligence is a language. These are the dialects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. And just as our forebears refused to be excluded from learning in Sesotho, isiZulu, Setswana, isiXhosa — we refuse to allow our children to be excluded from the language of the future,” she said on Tuesday.

“For too long, digital literacy, coding skills, and access to technology have been the exclusive privilege of children in Model C schools. Children whose parents could afford tablets, whose schools had fibre internet, whose classrooms had smartboards.”

The centre seeks to empower education leaders, teachers and learners by helping schools and other institutions integrate Apple technology into their learning environments and strengthen digital education.

DHET said the launch was in line with South Africa’s 4IR skills agenda, aimed at preparing the country to meet global digitalisation standards by taking digital skills into under-resourced schools.

The deputy minister said the centre formed part of a skills revolution, with a focus on the foundation phase to ensure future-ready skills are introduced to learners at an early stage.

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“The 4IR is transforming every single industry. It is changing how we manufacture, how we farm, how we heal the sick, how we move from place to place, and yes — how we learn. Countries that prepare their young people for this revolution will thrive. Countries that don’t will be left behind,” said Dube-Ncube.

She told learners, parents and community leaders at the launch that a “new world” shaped by technology was emerging, and urged pupils to become active and positive participants in it.

She said electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, data science, renewable energy and the green economy, drones and aerospace were among the strategic areas of the new economy in which young people should seek to participate.

Dube-Ncube said the department was committed to ensuring that teacher and lecturer development matched the standards required for digital skills, while also strengthening NSFAS to ensure students were afforded opportunities.

She said the department had also renewed its commitment to investing in digital infrastructure at schools and colleges, warning that isolated coding centres would not be effective if they operated in silos.

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