By Johnathan Paoli

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has clarified the position of the Government of National Unity regarding the Basic Education Amendment Laws (Bela) Act, following agreements involving the Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Solidarity.

In a media statement, Mashatile’s office expressed concern over an informal process that appeared to bypass the established procedures of the GNU’s Clearing House Mechanism, which has been discussing the contentious clauses in the Act for more than a month.

Mashatile emphasised on Friday that the agreement, which was signed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council, was reached outside the official channels and was not aligned with the GNU’s sanctioned processes, or the cooperative framework outlined in its statement of intent.

He said that only one party from the GNU seemed to have been involved in the parallel discussions, along with the minister, raising concerns about their alleged complicity in the unauthorised meeting.

“The Bela Act, like other Acts, is a product of Parliament and the president, and no intervention can therefore downplay the centrality of these key role players,” Mashatile said.

Reaffirming the GNU’s commitment to transparency and due process, Mashatile called on all signatories to the statement of intent to act in good faith and fully cooperate with the official procedures.

He assured stakeholders that the GNU remained engaged in its deliberations on the Bela Act and aimed to finalise the process soon.

Mashatile further assured representatives of all political parties within the Clearing House Mechanism that efforts were underway to collectively manage the situation and reach an amicable resolution.

The next official meeting, where the sub-committee’s recommendations would be presented, would be communicated to all stakeholders in due course, he said.

Meanwhile, the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has expressed vehement opposition to the bilateral agreement, condemning it as anti-transformation and accusing Gwarube of aligning with groups seeking to reverse educational reforms aimed at addressing historical inequalities.

“She has declared war on Sadtu and the African majority whose children are being discriminated by racists school governing bodies. She failed in respecting and promoting the Constitution of our country and she must therefore be ready for the real fight on the Bela Act,” the union said.

In a strongly worded statement, Sadtu’s secretariat described the agreement as a regressive move reminiscent of apartheid-era policies, arguing that language and education were being used to perpetuate discrimination.

“Apartheid used language and education to oppress and discriminate against the black majority. History is repeating itself,” the statement read.

The union criticised Gwarube for her alleged failure to consult the union, the largest in the education sector, while signing agreements with what it referred to as non-representative groups.

It also took aim at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to sign the Act while excluding certain provisions, describing it as an unprecedented, illegal and a dangerous precedent.

Sadtu warned that this decision undermined the constitutional commitment to non-racialism and equitable access to education.

Asserting that the agreement violated children’s constitutional right to education without barriers, the union has vowed to challenge what it described as a “right-wing agenda” on multiple platforms.

“The white supremacists must never be allowed to use the department of education to practice their racism,” the statement declared.

The union urged all provincial education MECs to reject the agreement publicly and begin immediate implementation of the Act by 13 December – the deadline the president gave parties to reach a consensus on the contentious sections.

It also called on its members at all levels to prepare for “a war against racism and the minister”.

INSIDE POLITICS

By Johnathan Paoli

The contentious sections of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act will be phased in, according to a deal signed by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Solidarity.

Gwarube has welcomed the resolution of the dispute, which began at the beginning of October. It followed Solidarity’s request for authorisation to undertake a protected protest against Sections 4 and 5 of the Act.

“This validates my long-held view that dialogue is the best remedy for conflict resolution,” she said on Thursday.

The contested sections primarily relate to the powers of provincial education departments and the role of school governing bodies (SGBs) in decision-making regarding school admissions and language policies.

The department confirmed that following a series of consultations through Nedlac and bilateral talks, both parties reached a consensus that would help to address the concerns raised by Solidarity and other groups that advocate for the Afrikaans language and culture.

Solidarity has maintained that the provisions would undermine the autonomy of SGBs in managing school admissions and language policies.

Specifically, Solidarity opposed the power granted to provincial education departments to override SGB decisions in certain circumstances, such as directing schools to adopt additional languages of instruction or change their admissions policies.

These sections were seen as potentially infringing on the rights of schools to make decisions in the best interests of their communities.

After weeks of negotiations, the parties have reached a mutual understanding on how to address these concerns.

The deal was formalised through a Bilateral Settlement Agreement, signed on Monday, according to which, the minister will recommend to President Cyril Ramaphosa that Sections 4(d), 4(f), and 5(c) of the legislation be postponed until certain national policies, norms and regulations have been developed to support their implementation.

The agreement stipulates that the recommendations be guided by several key principles, including the constitutional right of learners to receive education in their mother tongue, the importance of balancing the powers between national, provincial, and school-level authorities, and the best interests of learners.

The recommendations will also ensure that there is greater clarity around the decision-making processes for altering school policies.

Policies, norms and standards to be developed will address issues such as when and how the provincial education head can override an SGB’s language or admission policy.

Furthermore, the recommendations will call for more comprehensive consultation mechanisms, ensuring that affected communities are consulted before such decisions are made.

“Section 4 and Section 5 of the Bela Act should be commenced on phased-in basis subject to the successful execution of the recommendations,” the Nedlac deal reads.

In addition to the agreement between Gwarube and Solidarity, a Multilateral Settlement Agreement was signed between Gwarube, Solidarity and the Presidency on Thursday. It formalises the process by which the minister will present the recommendations to Ramaphosa for his consideration.

Under the legislation, the president must proclaim the commencement arrangements for the Act, including the timing and conditions under which the contested sections will be implemented.

Ramaphosa had given parties three months to iron out difference and reach a consensus. That deadline is 13 December.

The parties involved in the settlement agreed that the minister would take the necessary steps to ensure the smooth implementation of the recommendations and the overall effectiveness of the Bela Act.

Gwarube emphasised that the settlement was a positive step toward ensuring that the Act was implemented in a manner that considered all stakeholders’ concerns, including those of educators, parents and learners.

Solidarity chair Flip Buys said the agreement was the outcome of a variety of processes including talks with Ramaphosa, political parties, traditional leaders, the Pan South African Language Board and Nedlac.

Solidarity CEO Dirk Hermann has welcomed the settlement as a breakthrough, but warns that hard work ahead remained.

“We now have time on our side again that Afrikaans schools whose capacity is full, will not receive an instruction about language and admission. Schools don’t have to allow themselves to be bullied by officials,” Herman said in a statement.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Levy Masiteng 

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has emerged as the top-ranked institution, up from second place last year, according to the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings. 

Three other South African universities have also made the top 10. The University of Pretoria is ranked second place, followed by the University of the Witwatersrand Wits (3) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (4).

The universities rankings are measured by assessing institutions’ performance across five pillars including, resources and finance, access and fairness, student engagement, ethical leadership and Africa impact. 

According to the latest rankings, which were released on Wednesday, UJ’s exceptional performance in access, fairness, resources and finances has earned it the coveted number one spot. 

“It is particularly gratifying to see UJ being recognised highly, not only for its outstanding teaching and research programmes, but for its accessibility and excellence,“ UJ Vice-Chancellor Letlhokwa Mpedi said in a statement. 

“The latest rankings reaffirm the excellence of our academic programmes, especially considering the fact that the pool of competing universities in this ranking system has increased.”

 He added that the university’s commitment to education and innovation for societal impact was all demonstrated by this win.

“The rankings are a testament to the work and dedication of our staff, postdoctoral fellows, students, research associates, research divisions, centres and institutes,” Mpedi said. 

A total of 171 universities participated this year. 

INSIDE EDUCATION 

By Johnathan Paoli

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has welcomed the conclusion of the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations, saying that she is pleased with how they were administered.

“Despite some challenges, the overall administration of the exams has been smooth, with minimal irregularities thanks to the collective efforts of our dedicated educators, administrators and learners themselves,” the minister told reporters in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The exams commenced on 21 October with the English paper, and involved over 727,000 full-time candidates and 155,000 part-time candidates.

Gwarube pointed to several successes during the examination process, including the stringent monitoring of high-risk centres, where a minimum of 70% of locations were monitored during each session.

She said this rigorous oversight was designed to maintain the integrity of the exams despite external disruptions.

The minister also acknowledged that in regions like Jan Kempdorp, Gert Sibande and Limpopo, protests and inclement weather disrupted exam schedules for several learners.

Most notably, 319 students in the Eastern Cape were unable to write their exams due to flooding.

However, she welcomed the contingency plans that were in place to accommodate these learners, underscoring her department’s readiness to address unforeseen challenges.

“We are prepared to support learners affected by these disruptions and ensure that they have the opportunity to complete their exams,” Gwarube said.

The minister also spoke about five female learners who were gang-raped while preparing for their exams in the Eastern Cape, followed by another similar attack earlier this month.

Gwarube called for a collective societal response to violence against women and children, particularly during the observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

“These incidents serve as a painful reminder of the dangers that many young learners, especially girls, face in their daily lives. We must do everything in our power to create safer environments for our children,” she said.

Now with the exam writing phase complete, the department will shift its focus to marking.

The department has set up 181 marking centres across the country, which are expected to begin operations on Wednesday, with over 70,000 markers expected to be involved in grading the exams over the next 13 to 15 days.

Gwarube said ensuring that marking was conducted fairly and consistently was her top priority, noting that 60 out of 164 planned Marking Standardisation Meetings had already been completed to finalise marking guidelines.

On food safety, she said new regulations have been implemented to ensure that all food vendors at school and marking centres complied with regulations.

Workshops have been conducted for examination managers and school principals to maintain hygiene and safety protocols.

“We are committed to ensuring that our learners and markers are safe from preventable health risks, and we are taking significant steps to monitor food safety across all centres,” Gwarube said.

As the exam period concludes, the minister has urged matriculants to celebrate responsibly, especially in light of recent concerns around alcohol consumption during “pens down” events.

While recognising the achievement of completing the exams, Gwarube reminded students that this time should be marked by safe and responsible celebrations.

“Matric is a major milestone and it’s important that our learners celebrate their achievements safely. I urge them to avoid risky behaviours, such as alcohol abuse, which can endanger their lives and the lives of others,” she said.

Following the double capturing of almost 12 million marks by 16 December, Umalusi is expected to hold its standardisation meeting on 23 December and give its satisfaction of the fairness of the exams by 7 January.

The minister called for continued vigilance and hard work throughout the next phase. She is expected to announce the results on 13 January.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

The Basic Education Department has maintained its obligation and intent to publish the results of the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on media platforms, despite a halt called by the Information Regulator (IR).

Chief Director for National Assessment and Public Examinations, Rufus Poliah, made the remarks during the department’s media briefing on the exams in Cape Town on Wednesday.

“The DBE is of the view that we are fully compliant, and well within the ambit of regulations, to publish the results,” Poliah said.

He explained that the decision rested on three important factors.

Firstly, it was the department’s duty to make the information readily available and accessible to all learners including those who lived in remote areas and experienced challenges in travelling to writing centres.

Secondly, he stressed the anonymous nature of the results, saying only examination numbers were used.

Lastly, he highlighted the 2022 ruling from the North Gauteng High Court which ordered the department to publish the results, despite its previous decision to stop.

When asked whether the department intended to approach the court again in its engagement with the IR, Minister Siviwe Gwarube said it was too early to announce a decision.

“I think it will be premature to indicate any kind of court action right now,” the minister said.

She reiterated Poliah’s point about the anonymity of the results and that learners needed to be accommodated.

However, Gwarube said that perhaps the department and the IR could find each other and collaborate in finding a way to balance both the rights of learners and the regulations on the spreading of private information.

Department director-general Mathanzima Mweli said that the issue was one of law, considering the 2022 ruling, but agreed with the minister that the two would find ways of resolving disputes in line with the Intergovernmental Regulations Act.

The regulator has accused the department of non-compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, issuing an enforcement notice earlier in the month.

It argues that the department violated Section 11 of the Act by publishing matriculants’ personal information without consent.

Civil society organisation AfriForum has indicated its willingness to approach the courts again for the judicial confirmation of the right of the department to publish.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

The Department of Basic Education has committed to addressing ongoing challenges in school infrastructure, including substandard construction, water shortages and delayed projects, with a particular focus on accountability and transparency. 

The updates came during a briefing to the select committee on education, science and creative industries, in a presentation led by the Director-General Mathanzima Mweli.

He acknowledged delays in several ongoing projects, including 18 schools in Gauteng. 

“Out of 275 projects, 55 are completed, 90 are under construction and 23 are in the final stages of planning,” Mweli reported. 

He explained that procurement hurdles, such as a lack of contractor interest in smaller projects, had been a significant bottleneck.

The department’s acting chief director, Solly Mafoko added: “We visit sites weekly to ensure progress and address issues with provincial education departments. Framework agreements are also being promoted to streamline contractor appointments.”

Mweli specifically referred to Nokuthula Special School, which he had visited. Poor workmanship had left the school with poor quality paving and stormwater systems. 

“I fully agree with the observations that the work is completely shoddy,” said Mweli said on Tuesday. 

“We are going to raise this with colleagues in Gauteng to hold the contractor accountable and get them to fix these issues. The professional service providers who approved such work must also be held to account.”

The department’s head of infrastructure, Tsholofelo Diale, agreed with Mweli.

“It shouldn’t only be the contractor. Professional service providers must also face scrutiny for approving work of this standard.”

The water crises in municipalities have left many schools struggling to provide basic amenities, Mweli admitted. 

“Learners without sanitation facilities, especially in provinces like the Eastern Cape, face immense challenges,” he said. 

However, he pointed out progress in sanitation infrastructure in the region, noting that “virtually every village in the Eastern Cape now has sanitation facilities we’ve built”.

“Though challenges remain, we’ve turned the corner,” Mweli said.

He stressed the importance of conducting assessments on state of infrastructure for all 25,000 schools. 

“We need an updated database of every school’s infrastructure,” he said.

“Unfortunately, our request to the National Treasury for funding this vital initiative has not been successful.”

Committee chairperson Makhi Feni expressed alarm over dangerous conditions at schools, particularly at Nokuthula Special School.

“The roof structure is very dangerous for those kids,” he warned. “This isn’t a minor issue, and we will follow it up until this administration’s term ends.”

Feni also emphasised the importance of the department’s follow-up written report, which was expected within seven days to provide clarity and accountability for the issues raised.

The department outlined plans for an annual training programme to equip school governing bodies and management teams with skills for maintaining school facilities. 

“We aim to train all districts and schools by June next year,” Mafoko revealed. 

The initiative would also include refresher courses to adapt to staff turnover.

Despite the challenges, Mweli reiterated the department’s commitment to progress. 

“We’re on the ground almost weekly, addressing issues as they arise,” he said. 

“While we face systemic challenges, from contractor inefficiencies to funding gaps, we are confident that with collaboration and oversight, we can deliver safer, better-equipped schools for all learners.”

The committee pledged its continued support and oversight to ensure that the promises made translate into meaningful change on the ground.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Edwin Naidu

Newly installed University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela was once denied the chance to study at the university he now leads.

As a young man from Limpopo eager to pursue a degree in medicine, his application was declined. But this rejection did not deter the 44-year-old father of three, and he chased his dreams at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he completed his medical studies.

On Monday, almost 30 years later, Moshabela was installed as the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town.

Confident and cool – if that word applies to a vice-chancellor – the youthful but internationally recognised Moshabela said he wanted to position the university as a catalyst for change in Africa.

“I look forward to the future as we journey together, consolidate the three missions of UCT, and explore the fourth mission of UCT: positioning UCT as a catalyst for change in Africa.

“All this whilst we embrace our African values of ubuntu – ‘I am because you are’, lift others as we rise and leave no one behind. And we do this with compassion. Remember, UCT is not just the bricks and mortar; it is also all of us – past, present and future generations.”

In his installation speech at the iconic Sarah Baartman Hall, Moshabela said he canvassed many individuals, including renowned UCT historian Howard Phillips, whom he asked for a summary of the university’s journey over the last 100 years since 1918.

Thus, Moshabela’s message was about building on the foundation of many who walked before him, but defining his tenure by positioning UCT as a catalyst for change in Africa, while embracing African values of ubuntu.

“We have inherited a wonderful institution, a legacy of decisions made 30 years ago, from which we benefit today. The question is, what legacy will our generation of leaders leave for the generation that will be standing here 30 years from now?”

He said the decisions made today were intended to ensure that future generations inherited a great institution that would serve their needs then.

Referring to the UCT Vision 2030, announced four years ago, which aims to unleash human potential to create a fair and just society, Moshabela said he was honoured to be installed as UCT’s 11th vice-chancellor.

“When I say I am grateful, it comes from the bottom of my heart. I feel gratitude for so much that I cannot even begin to recount right this moment, except to say that I thank God for my life, my entire life and this moment in particular,” he said.

UCT Chair of Council Adv. Norman Arendse said the installation of Moshabela was a momentous occasion in the history of UCT.

“It is not just another day at our great institution; it is a milestone that signals the beginning of a new chapter that holds the promise of growth, transformation and innovation,” he said.

“This is a moment of great pride for UCT and we are confident that his leadership will elevate this institution. The road ahead is one of great promise and we do not doubt that, under his guidance, UCT will continue to shine as a beacon of excellence, innovation and positive change.”

Accepting the baton to take UCT forward, Moshabela, who has been in the job for 112 days, said the honeymoon was over.

Watched by his mother Esther, wife, sister, daughters and relatives, the VC said he was humbled and proud.

It has been hard work from the start, as he had 97 engagements in his first 100 days.

“As for me, I have no grey hair as yet. I plucked out one or two strands that suddenly appeared in my beard the past few months. Honoured guests, I am sure you’ll support me as I dedicate every future strand of grey hair to my new home, UCT,” said the youthful academic.

Moshabela said he looked forward to the future “as we journey together”, to consolidate the missions of UCT, and begin to explore the fourth mission of UCT.

The Chancellor of UCT, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, thanked Arendse for leading the selection of the “impressive” new vice-chancellor.

She thanked interim vice-chancellor Prof. Daya Reddy, saying she was impressed with him.

“[He is] very humble, quiet, very steady. I believed that he was the right person to hold the fort and welcome our new vice-chancellor into this position.

“I do not wish to leave out vice-chancellors who’ve been here before, as the Chair of Council has said, because they laid the ground for what we are about to witness as the university’s future.”

Moloi-Motsepe said UCT has always been a beacon of excellence, resilience and transformation.

“For over a century, we have stood firm in our commitment to academic distinction, breaking boundaries, and pushing the frontiers of knowledge.”

“Today, we reaffirm this commitment by welcoming a leader who exemplifies these values. Professor Moshabela is a scholar, a leader and an individual whose personal and professional journey speaks to the essence of resilience and purpose. His appointment as vice-chancellor is not only a personal milestone for him but a moment of profound significance for our university,” she added.

On Monday, the UCT welcoming family heard about Moshabela’s professional journey, which has been nothing short of remarkable.

From his transformative work as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to his internationally recognised contributions to public health research, he has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership and an unwavering dedication to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges.

As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at UKZN, he provided visionary and intellectual leadership across various domains. He has previously held academic roles at one international university and two local institutions.

An esteemed academic and clinician scientist, Moshabela is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and has a distinguished career marked by numerous accolades.

In 2022, he received the PHILA Annual Award from the Public Health Association of South Africa in recognition of his contributions to public health in the country.

He was also honoured with a Ministerial Special Covid-19 Award for his work in science communication and public engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

A crisis is looming in the education sector in the North West as delays and errors in the release of Post Provisioning Measures (PPMs) threaten school governance, budgeting and resource allocation for 2025.

This prolonged failure, in violation of legal deadlines, has sparked widespread concern from educators, school governing bodies (SGBs) and unions like the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU).

SAOU executive officer Paul Sauer said current situation was affecting the over-all budgeting requirements needed to deliver quality education for next year.

“The situation is dire. The release of the PPM is nine weeks overdue. This means that the schools are not able to accurately plan for the 2025 school year in regard to the number of teaching staff that will be available which in turn drastically affects the number of learners that the school will be able to accommodate,” Sauer said.

PPMs are essential frameworks that determine the allocation of teaching posts to schools within a province. They consider various factors, including student enrolment, grade levels and special needs requirements. This is to ensure equitable and efficient distribution of teaching resources.

By law, the education MEC is required to finalise and communicate PPMs by 30 September each year.

The regulation detailed in Schedule A of the Regulations for the Creation of Educator Posts aims to give schools sufficient time to plan for the upcoming academic year.

Additionally, Section 58C(6) of the South African Schools Act (SASA) mandates that provincial departments determine and communicate the capacity of public schools by the same deadline.

SAOU provincial secretary Johan Kruger said that despite these clear legal obligations, the education department has failed to release accurate PPMs on time, with initial delays compounded by the release of incorrect PPMs in October, sparking confusion and concern among schools.

One glaring example of this mismanagement occurred in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda School District, where the final PPMs released on 21 October diverged significantly from earlier drafts.

Kruger said that some of the key errors included inconsistent weightings used to calculate teacher allocations being inexplicably increased; and several primary schools reporting that Grade R enrolments were omitted from calculations, reducing their post allocations.

Additionally, he maintains that schools catering to learners with special educational needs found discrepancies in weightings based on disability classifications, while some schools did not receive the additional posts promised in initial drafts.

Kruger said that school principals were placed in the difficult position of explaining sudden reductions in teaching posts to their staff, leading to low morale among educators and uncertainty about class sizes and workloads.

The provincial secretary said attempts to address the issue have yielded little progress, and that this lack of action has forced schools and SGBs into an untenable position.

When district managers were confronted with the discrepancies, they retracted the final PPMs but offered no viable solutions or accountability.

Governing bodies may have to independently allocate funds for additional educator posts to prevent overcrowded classrooms or compromised learning conditions, further straining already limited resources.

The SAOU has called for those responsible for these errors to be held accountable.

In a letter to MEC Viola Motsumi, HOD Maropeng Seshibe and other senior education officials, Kruger, expressed grave concern over the department’s inability to meet its statutory obligations.

“Imagine the position of a principal who must inform their staff that the school’s post provisioning has been cut. This creates a ripple effect of despondency among teaching staff, ultimately affecting the quality of education,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance’s education spokesperson CJ Steyl has urged the MEC to release accurate PPMs immediately.

The party also wants a detailed explanation of measures to prevent future occurrences and greater accountability, saying that education must be prioritised over administrative inefficiencies.

Steyl said the without swift intervention, the risk of long-term damage to the North West education system remained high, threatening the rights of learners to quality education and the stability of public schools in the province.

Inside Education attempted to reach out to the department concerning the matter, but there was no response at the time of publishing.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Gauteng education and sport MEC Matome Chiloane has celebrated the collective achievements of Gauteng’s sporting community, highlighting how sports can unite communities, foster pride and showcase the transformative power of athletic excellence.

The 13th Gauteng Sport Awards celebrated the province’s sporting excellence on Sunday night under the theme “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring the Youth”. It honoured the achievements of athletes who exemplified Gauteng’s moniker as the “Home of Champions”.

Among the night’s biggest winners was rising football star Relebohile Mofokeng, crowned Sport Personality of the Year after a spectacular season with Orlando Pirates.

Mofokeng, a 20-year-old footballer from Sharpeville, has taken the country by storm.

A graduate of the School of Excellence, he was scouted by Orlando Pirates, where he quickly became an integral part of the team; with performances during the 2023/2024 Premier Soccer League season earning him the DSTV Young Player of the Season award and helping Pirates secure victories in both the Nedbank Cup and the MTN Cup.

Following a public vote via SMS, Mofokeng triumphed over a formidable group of finalists that included sprinter Akani Simbine, MMA fighter Dricus Du Plessis, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Olympic swimmer Tatjana Smith.

Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of Tatjana Smith, who was named Sportswoman of the Year.

Smith, an Olympic swimmer, had a stellar performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she claimed a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke with a remarkable time of 1:05.00 and a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:19.01.

Smith’s accomplishments earned her over R350,000 in prize money, cementing her as one of the country’s premier athletes.

She was also among the nine Gauteng-based Olympians who received special cash incentives from the provincial sport, arts, culture and recreation department for their medal-winning performances.

The Lifetime Achiever Award went to Peter Manero Ngobeni, a trailblazing South African sprinter.

Ngobeni, once the fastest man in the country, won multiple South African sprint titles during his illustrious career.

In 1985, he became the first Black sprinter to receive Springbok Colours, breaking barriers in a segregated sports landscape.

The award, selected by Chiloane, recognised Ngobeni’s enduring legacy and contributions to South African athletics.

The awards also celebrated the achievements of nine athletes from the province who represented the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including Smith, sprinter Akani Simbine, and para-athlete Pieter du Preez, who received special cash incentives in recognition of their success.

A total of 59 finalists from various sporting disciplines were honoured at the awards, with each receiving R15,000, while category winners were awarded an additional R25,000 and automatically qualified for the National South African Sports Awards later this year.

Chiloane previously said this year’s period has been extended to include the recently held Olympics and ongoing Paralympics.

He said the awards were highly anticipated after an exciting and successful sporting season with many athletes, federations and clubs working hard and achieving significant success; and further hailed the province for producing many successful athletes.

“We will, therefore, use the Sports Awards to profile our province as a destination for all sportsmen and women from across the country and Africa to come and excel and be recognised for their talent,” Chiloane said.

Chiloane said there was ample evidence to demonstrate that sport and recreation did make a difference to people’s lives as well as the larger communities in which they lived in, and that by recognising their achievements, the awards aimed to inspire young athletes and encourage them to pursue excellence in sports.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Nkhensani Chauke

Bullying, gangsterism and drug abuse remain significant obstacles to effective teaching and learning in Ekurhuleni’s schools, according to Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane.

He said vandalism, alcohol abuse and other crimes were also concern.

“In order to curb these incidents, the department has put in place various measures. These include securing access into schools, search and seizures, deployment of security guards, recruitment and deployment of patrollers, as well as partnering with community structures and law enforcement agencies.

“However, despite these interventions, I continue to receive reports, in fact disturbing reports, of violence, bullying, arson, vandalism and several other reports,” he said

Speaking at the Ekurhuleni school safety imbizo in Tsakane, Chiloane said the goal of the meeting was to address serious concerns while enhancing collaboration between local stakeholders, educators and students.

The department held a similar imbizo earlier in the month in Kliptown, Soweto.

The MEC said over the weekend that the department had identified 55 schools in the region which were impacted crime, with gangs known as the Boofs, Gailos, Nkabination and Amabutho operating in them.

He added that the department noted the continuous conflicts between school governing bodies and local communities over “self-built projects”.

There was also fluctuating fights among learners who were on drugs, and substance abuse required immediate attention.

Chiloane added that peaceful communities played a role in creating safe schools, while environments plagued by violence manifested violent behaviour at schools.

“It is against this background that we must develop strategies to protect our schools from the social challenges impacting our communities. We must acknowledge that issues like violence and substance abuse cannot coexist with a healthy, conducive environment for learning and teaching.

“Today as we gather here to identify the challenges, we must with the same vigour think creatively to come up with lasting solutions to these challenges,” he said

Chiloane informed the gathering about strategies in place, including parental and community engagement, safety and security training, and educational and awareness programmes.

INSIDE EDUCATION