By Charmaine Ndlela

Thirty-three suspects appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Monday on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a R113 million school repair tender scandal.

The arrests were carried out by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, in Nelspruit on Sunday morning.

The operation targeted 41 suspects allegedly implicated in corruption, theft and fraud relating to emergency school repair tenders dating back to 2018. One of the suspects has since died.

Among those arrested are government officials and service providers believed to be connected to irregular tender processes within the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

Investigators also conducted search and seizure operations at the home of a Barberton-based pastor believed to be linked to the scheme.

Speaking to Inside Education, Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi confirmed that 33 suspects appeared in court.

“You will recall that we initially had 41 suspects. By this morning, 23 had already been arrested, and as we speak, the number has increased to 26 arrests. Today, 33 appeared in court,” said Nkosi.

Nkosi added that bail proceedings prioritised suspects with medical conditions.

A wheelchair-bound woman was granted bail of R50,000 and is expected to reappear in court on 26 March. The Chief Financial Officer, a former Chief Director, and a company owner and director were also granted bail of R50,000 each due to medical reasons.

Another female suspect, who is reportedly breastfeeding, was also granted R50,000 bail on health grounds.

One of the accused, Jabulani Nkosi, is the former Acting Head of the Mpumalanga Department of Education. He currently serves as Chief Director for Human Resource Management and Development in the Mpumalanga Department of Health.

The remaining suspects are expected to appear in court on Tuesday for their bail applications, including three individuals who were arrested later on Monday.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

Hilton College signed off the Independent Schools Cricket Festival’s final day on Sunday as the only unbeaten side after switching smoothly into the festival’s closing T20 format.

Hilton opened the day by restricting hosts St Alban’s to 108/9, with Obakeng Motsepa ripping through the top order on the way to 4/19, backed up by Cameron Hargroves’ 2/13.

St Alban’s top score was Reabetswe Mokoka’s 26, but Hilton’s reply was controlled rather than frantic, with opener Ben Wilson guiding the chase with 39 not out as Hilton reached 110/4 inside 16 overs to win by six wickets.

St Alban’s recovered quickly in their second T20, rolling St John’s College (Harare) for 91 and then completing an eight-wicket chase. Will Hewitt delivered the key burst with 4/8, while St Alban’s reply was anchored by Kyle Block (27) and Mokoka (24).

Elsewhere, St David’s Marist Inanda finished strongly against Prestige College, piling up 171/5 with Jonah Gruskin lighting up the innings with 80 off 57 balls. Prestige were then dismissed for 81, with Kyle Butler (3/5) leading a tight bowling effort.

In another final-day highlight, Clifton College posted 177/5 against Woodridge and defended it by 28 runs, driven by opener Daniyaal Klinck’s 79 and a sharp spell of 3/6 from left-armer Blake Johnson.

Michaelhouse also ended on a high, cruising to a nine-wicket win over St Benedict’s after bowling them out for 101, then chasing down 102/1 with unbeaten half-centuries from Ben Heuer (51*) and Graydon Leslie (51*).

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By Dr Mario Landman

The classroom is undergoing its most profound transformation in generations.

Gone are the days when universities could graduate students armed primarily with theoretical knowledge and expect them to thrive in a fast-evolving job market.

Today’s employers demand more: graduates who can do, think critically, adapt swiftly to change, and collaborate effectively across teams and disciplines.

– WATCH: Gwarube says mother tongue learning is bridge to stronger literacy, numeracy foundations

This means universities must urgently work to close the gap between what they traditionally offered, and what the future of work demands.

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, and the World Economic Forum projects that 39% of core job skills will shift by 2030, higher education institutions worldwide are racing to redesign curricula that prioritise real-world application over rote memorisation.

This shift is breaking down traditional disciplinary boundaries. Universities are increasingly blending fields to prepare students for complex, interconnected challenges: data science fused with business strategy, cybersecurity intertwined with legal frameworks, artificial intelligence integrated with ethics, and engineering combined with entrepreneurial thinking.

At institutions like Wharton, MIT, and emerging programmes across the US and Europe, interdisciplinary majors and concentrations in AI for business or ethical AI are surging in popularity, reflecting both explosive industry demand and the need for well-rounded professionals who can navigate technology’s opportunities and risks.

DBE says most learners lose mother tongue schooling after Grade 3

Alongside these technical hybrids, there’s a powerful resurgence of emphasis on distinctly human skills – critical thinking, emotional intelligence, communication, and teamwork—that AI cannot easily replicate. These durable competencies are becoming core to curricula as employers seek resilient, adaptable talent amid rapid disruption.

Teaching methods must change

Teaching methods themselves are evolving to match. Passive lectures are giving way to project-based learning, where students tackle authentic problems in teams: building prototypes, analysing real datasets, and pitching solutions to industry partners. Assessment is shifting too – from high-stakes final exams to continuous, formative feedback that treats improvement as an integral part of the journey.

Modern attention spans and lifelong learning demands are also fuelling the rise of microlearning and sophisticated gamification systems that incorporate narrative, challenges, progression, badges, and leaderboards to boost motivation and retention.

These tools, once experimental, are now mainstream strategies helping institutions engage digital-native learners while bridging academia and the workplace.

It will come as no surprise that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation lie at the heart of this transformation.

ALSO READ: 100 Shining Stars: The young leaders reimagining South Africa’s future

AI is no longer a futuristic concept whispered about in laboratories  — it now lives in everyday academic life.

In classrooms, AI is building personalised learning pathways and adapting content to the needs of each student, providing instant feedback and deepening understanding.

On the administrative side, AI is handling timetables, marking, admissions, and data analytics, allowing academics to spend more time engaging with students rather than managing processes.

But AI is also unsettling old assumptions about assessment and academic integrity.

Generative AI has reached a point where it can produce undetectable essays, code, and even artistic work. This has made it clear that universities cannot rely on punitive measures alone.

Instead, they are being compelled to rethink how they assess learning, shifting from a mindset of policing to one of guiding, by teaching students how to use AI responsibly, ethically, and creatively.

The digital shift extends beyond AI, with hybrid learning and virtual classrooms now fully entrenched.

Institutions must now be investing in immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), turning learning into an experience rather than a download of information.

Virtual science labs, simulated courtrooms, and 3D historical worlds are moving from the realm of experimentation to mainstream practice.

This move does however come with governance challenges. Universities are being pushed to create policies that demand transparency, fairness, and human oversight of AI systems. Human in the loop has become a guiding principle: technology may assist, but it cannot replace human judgement, especially when academic outcomes and futures are at stake.

As higher education adapts to these realities, the question is no longer whether change is needed, but how quickly institutions — public and private universities alike — can scale these innovations to produce graduates truly ready for tomorrow’s world of work.

Mario Landman is Executive: Educational Technology and Innovation at The IIE and ADvTECH’s Academic Centre of Excellence.

Charmaine Ndlela

The Mpumalanga Department of Education said on Sunday it was monitoring developments after the arrests of 23 people, including senior government officials, in a R114 million corruption case involving the department.

“As the matter is now before the courts, the department respects the judicial process and regards the case as sub judice. The department will therefore refrain from commenting on the merits of the case at this stage, while closely monitoring all developments,” it said.

Read more here.

Mpumalanga education ‘closely monitoring’ corruption case after 23 arrested by Hawks

• – WATCH: Gwarube says mother tongue learning is bridge to stronger literacy, numeracy foundations

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has urged parents and schools to use home languages as a foundation for learning.

“A child’s mother tongue language should never be a barrier to learning. It should be a bridge,” Gwarube said.

“Learners struggle not because they lack the ability, but because they are being taught in a language they do not fully understand,” she said in a personal message broadcast from her X account in commemoration of International Mother Language Day on Saturday.

Read more here.

WATCH: Gwarube says mother tongue learning is bridge to stronger literacy, numeracy foundations

DBE says most learners lose mother tongue schooling after Grade 3

The Department of Basic Education said on Saturday it is expanding Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTbBE), warning that fewer than a quarter of South Africans can access sustained mother tongue education beyond Grade 3.

The department made the remarks in a statement commemorating International Mother Language Day.

Read more here.

DBE says most learners lose mother tongue schooling after Grade 3

INSIDE EDUCATION

Charmaine Ndlela

The Mpumalanga Department of Education said on Sunday it was monitoring developments after the arrests of 23 people, including senior government officials, in a R114 million corruption case involving the department.

“As the matter is now before the courts, the department respects the judicial process and regards the case as sub judice. The department will therefore refrain from commenting on the merits of the case at this stage, while closely monitoring all developments,” it said.

The arrests, carried out by the Hawks in Nelspruit on Sunday morning, form part of an operation targeting 41 suspects implicated in alleged corruption, theft and fraud related to government tenders for emergency school repairs dating back to 2018. One of the suspects has since died.

Among those arrested are government officials and service providers allegedly linked to the irregular tender processes within the department. A search and investigative operations were also carried out at the home of a Barberton pastor believed to be connected to the scheme.

Mpumalanga Hawks head, Major General Nico Gerber, confirmed that the operation was being conducted across four provinces, including Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape.

“Some of the suspects moved from Mpumalanga to other provinces since 2020. You have to understand that proving a case like this is not easy,” he said at a press briefing on Sunday morning.

Those arrested are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they will face charges of corruption, theft and fraud.

The Hawks said investigations remain ongoing as they work to apprehend the remaining suspects and fully uncover the extent of the alleged tender corruption.

The department said it was committed to ethical governance, transparency, and accountability, and “maintains a zero-tolerance on any form of corruption or maladministration”.

“Should the need arise, the Department will fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure that due process unfolds without hindrance,” it said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has urged parents and schools to use home languages as a foundation for learning.

“A child’s mother tongue language should never be a barrier to learning. It should be a bridge,” Gwarube said.

“Learners struggle not because they lack the ability, but because they are being taught in a language they do not fully understand,” she said in a personal message broadcast from her X account in commemoration of International Mother Language Day on Saturday.

“When a child cannot understand what is being taught, they cannot create meaning, they cannot grasp mathematical concepts, and they cannot build confidence,” she said.

“That is why we are strengthening mother tongue based bilingual education.”

[WATCH] Message from the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, on International Mother Language Day.@Siviwe_G#MotherLanguageDay pic.twitter.com/T3rPJzQYFY

— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) February 21, 2026

Gwarube said the department’s focus this term was “to ensure that all learners are able to understand for meaning what is being taught to them in the classroom.”

Early teaching in a home language builds stronger literacy and numeracy foundations that help pupils later in gateway subjects, she said.

“Your language is a tool for learning,” she said. “In a country as beautifully diverse as South Africa, our languages are a national treasure. They carry our stories, our history and our hopes for the future.”

The Department of Basic Education said on Saturday it was expanding Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTbBE), warning that fewer than a quarter of South Africans can access sustained mother tongue education beyond Grade 3.

DBE says most learners lose mother tongue schooling after Grade 3

Gwarube encouraged families to actively use home languages with children: “I encourage parents to speak, read, sing to their children,” she said, adding that “protecting and promoting our languages will help build a more inclusive and equal society.”

International Mother Language Day is observed annually on 21 February and is backed by UNESCO, which this year highlighted “Youth voices on multilingual education” as a global theme.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

The Department of Basic Education said on Saturday it is expanding Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTbBE), warning that fewer than a quarter of South Africans can access sustained mother tongue education beyond Grade 3.

The department made the remarks in a statement commemorating International Mother Language Day.

“Fewer than a quarter of South Africans, primarily English and Afrikaans speakers, are able to access sustained mother-tongue education beyond Grade 3”, it said, while learners whose home languages are African indigenous languages are often required to transition prematurely to English or Afrikaans as languages of learning and teaching.

“Extensive local and international research confirms what communities have long understood: children learn best in the language they know best,” it said, adding that “learners require at least six to eight years of strong mother-tongue instruction to transition successfully to additional languages used for learning.”

The department said it has expanded MTbBE since a pilot began in the Eastern Cape in 2012.

It said that learners taught in their home languages “have demonstrated improved performance in key subjects, including Mathematics and Natural Sciences”.

It said that the phased expansion of MTbBE, including the 2025 rollout to Grade 4, with maths exams offered nationally in a bilingual paper for the first time, was a significant milestone.

The aim was to “restore dignity to African languages, dismantling historical inequalities, and ensuring that our linguistic heritage becomes an asset in the knowledge economy”.

The department said “the success of this programme depends on strong partnerships,” acknowledging educators, school governing bodies, language practitioners, community leaders and others.

It said digital resources, including multilingual learning materials and innovative tools, were expanding access and supporting teachers in the classroom.

“As we mark this important day, we call on parents, communities, and stakeholders to support mother-tongue based education and to recognise its long-term benefits for learners and for our country,” it said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Charmaine Ndlela

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, on Friday led the relaunch of the Khetha Radio Programme at the SABC offices in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.

Dube-Ncube said the relaunch marked a significant milestone in strengthening Post-School Education and Training (PSET) communication in South Africa’s official languages.

The Khetha Radio Programme is implemented in partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) through SABC Education, which is responsible for delivering the public broadcaster’s educational mandate.

The programme was initially introduced as a pilot on Ikwekwezi FM (isiNdebele) and later expanded to nine additional radio stations, including Ukhozi FM, Umhlobo Wenene FM, Lesedi FM, Motsweding FM, Munghana Lonene FM, Phalaphala FM, Thobela FM, Ligwalagwala FM and Radio Sonder Grense (Afrikaans)

The Khetha Career Development Services provides free career information, guidance and advice to learners, graduates and members of the public.

Originally launched in 2010 as a strategic media campaign of the Career Development Services  then known as Career Advice Services, the programme was based at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). It was initially introduced as part of commemorating the late former President Nelson Mandela.

The department said that the programme is the first of its kind in Africa, offering free career development services to the public.

The aim of the radio programme is to provide relevant and accurate career and study information on opportunities available within the PSET system in listeners’ own languages. It is a weekly live broadcast tackling a wide range of study and career topics for audiences of all ages. 

According to the department, the shows are presenter-driven and feature a content specialist as a guest usually a Khetha Career Development Services advisor.

 The programme also incorporates information from other branches of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), including TVET, Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, and Universities Education. It further works with entities and special projects such as NSFAS, SETAs, Indlela, NAMB, WorldSkills South Africa, the Centres of Specialisation, and others.

Over the years, Khetha has supported several national campaigns, including the NSFAS Application Campaigns, the Decade of the Artisan, the Central Applications Clearing House, the Apply Now! Campaign, and the Bogus College campaign 

“This relaunch signals renewed energy and strengthened collaboration across the PSET system. We are bringing additional subject experts into the programme, including representatives from universities, TVET and Community Education and Training colleges, Sector Education and Training Authorities, and industry partners. This ensures that listeners receive comprehensive, accurate and coordinated information,” said Dube-Ncube.

She said that “Khetha” means “to choose”, emphasising that meaningful choice is rooted in access to knowledge.

“Choice is fundamental to dignity and empowerment, and meaningful choice can only exist where there is knowledge. This programme is about empowering individuals with the information they need to choose pathways aligned with their aspirations and the needs of the country whether that involves enrolling at a TVET college, pursuing university studies, entering an apprenticeship, accessing bursary opportunities, or starting a business,” she said.

The enhanced format of the programme will promote greater interaction with listeners through call-ins, social media integration and practical guidance segments.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

In a country reflecting on 30 years of constitutional democracy and 50 years since the historic youth uprising of 1976, a new generation is stepping forward with its own vision for South Africa.

They are not defined only by protest, but by projects. Not only by frustration, but by solutions.

This year, Inside Education honoured 100 exceptional young achievers through its 100 Shining Stars initiative, celebrating them as beacons of hope and drivers of change across the country. 

Since 2018, the programme has recognised young leaders working across 12 categories, including education, health, civil society, business, science and technology, arts and culture, politics, justice and law, environment and philanthropy.

Behind the accolades lies a shared purpose: to uplift underprivileged communities and expand opportunities for young people.

Faith Murumbi, special projects manager at K and K Media, said the annual celebration continues to affirm the power of youth leadership in shaping the country’s tomorrow. The winners may come from different sectors, but their mission is unified, to create meaningful change where it matters most.

For Wayde Groep, Youth Development Leader at YearBeyond, the recognition is both personal and collective.

“I feel good, I’m humbled. It’s an important recognition but it’s not just about me, it’s about the work that we do for young people in our country.”

Groep said while South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, there is still significant work to be done. Although unemployment statistics are slowly declining, too many young people remain without decent income opportunities. 

He believes young people are already playing a major role in shaping the country, describing them as innovators, educators and leaders serving communities in multiple ways. His programme hopes to recruit close to 4,000 young people this year, even as applications exceed available spaces, and he emphasised the need to amplify youth voices and invest more boldly in national youth service.

In Soweto, literacy advocate and early childhood development champion Bontle Ndaba is confronting a stark reality: 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning.

“I feel very humbled and grateful to be acknowledged for the impact and purpose that I have within my community,” she said.

Ndaba said the milestone of 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising carries deep significance, as it honours young people who fought for the right to education. She believes today’s youth are introducing new movements and new ways of thinking that align with current realities. 

Through her literacy work in underserved communities, she aims to strengthen foundational reading skills and create safe, engaging reading spaces that allow children to thrive.

For Advice Tshikani Chuma, provincial chairperson of the ActionSA Youth Forum in Gauteng and a PR councillor in the City of Johannesburg, youth empowerment also means civic participation and ethical leadership.

“It’s a mixed reaction,” he said of the country’s milestone celebrations. “The youth of 1976 said enough is enough, but today many young people don’t want to participate in politics or vote.”

Chuma believes young people must conscientise one another about the importance of democratic participation, particularly ahead of local government elections. He said advancing democracy requires active involvement, from registering to vote to raising one’s hand to serve in public office, especially within higher learning institutions and local communities.

Innovation is another strong thread among the Shining Stars. At just 20 years old, Relebogile Lebitsa is developing digital solutions aimed at modernising township taxi industry through digital payments and commuter support, and improving access to healthcare services.

“The youth is opening opportunities for themselves,” she said. “They are taking whatever space there is and showing up.”

Lebitsa described the recognition as an honour and said young people continue to demonstrate resilience by embracing challenges and creating solutions, whether in technology, policy or community development. She is continuing her work in tech while building her professional career.

In the legal field, candidate attorney Lesego Makhwenkwe of Motsoeneng Bill Attorneys is building a reputation as an emerging labour law scholar while mentoring fellow young professionals and advancing his postgraduate studies.

“To be recognised at such an early stage in my career means a lot,” Makhwenkwe said. “It shows that the hard work we put in is seen.”

He described the 30-year constitutional milestone as both a celebration of progress in freedom and equality and a reminder that more work lies ahead. He believes young entrepreneurs and professionals are helping reshape South Africa with innovation and determination as he continues to pursue academic excellence in law.

INSIDE EDUCATION