By Johnathan Paoli

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has officially become the last province in South Africa to commence its 2025 matric preliminary examinations, joining the rest of the country in preparing learners for the all-important National Senior Certificate (NSC) finals in October.

The KZN Education Department confirmed that its 2025 matric cohort began writing their trial examinations on Monday, with the assessments scheduled to conclude on 2 October.

Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka encouraged pupils to take the prelims seriously, stressing that they are an essential stepping stone to academic success.

“As a department, we motivate, inspire and encourage our Grade 12 learners to manage their time wisely and to use the preliminary exams as a rehearsal for the finals. We urge learners to revise past papers, maintain balance, and study in focused sessions,” Hlomuka said.

These exams, widely regarded as a “dress rehearsal” for the final NSC papers, will test the readiness of more than 200,000 Grade 12 learners in the province, the largest matric population in the country.

The MEC extended best wishes on behalf of the province, saying that the department stood firmly behind learners as they entered the final stretch of their schooling careers.

The start of the matric prelims has been staggered across the country.

Eastern Cape was the first province to begin on 25 August, followed by Gauteng, the Northern Cape, and North West before the end of the month.

Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Free State opened their exam sessions in early September, while the Western Cape commenced on 5 September.

KZN’s later start, on 8 September, places it at the tail end of the rollout.

According to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the varying schedules allow provinces to align with logistical needs, curriculum completion, and local considerations.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube previously said the different dates should not detract from the shared national commitment to support learners.

“To our matric class of 2025, as you begin your preliminary examinations, I want to commend you for the dedication and resilience that have brought you this far. Prelims are an important milestone; use them to sharpen your preparation for the final exams,” she said.

Gwarube emphasised balance, reminding learners to rest, exercise, and stay positive during what can be an anxious period.

Across the country, teachers, parents, and communities have been called upon to rally behind learners.

The DBE has provided tools such as its Mind the Gap study guides, Practical Assessment Task guidelines, and access to past exam papers online.

These resources, available across subjects like Accounting, Life Sciences, Agriculture, and Life Orientation, are designed to bolster learners’ confidence and help them master challenging content.

The Zero Dropout Campaign and education specialists have encouraged practical study strategies such as breaking subjects into manageable sections, practising active recall, and applying the Pomodoro method, 25 to 50 minutes of study followed by short breaks.

The 2025 prelims come against a backdrop of continued challenges, from school disruptions in the Western Cape to communities still recovering from flood damage in parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal earlier this year.

The prelims pave the way for the NSC final examinations, which begin on 21 October with Computer Applications Technology in the morning and Eastern Languages in the afternoon.

The finals will run until 26 November, concluding with the Music Paper.

As the largest province to write last, KwaZulu-Natal will be closely watched as a barometer of national readiness.

With nearly a quarter of South Africa’s matric candidates based in KZN, their performance will weigh heavily on the national pass rate and the future skills pipeline.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Kwa-Thema in Springs on the East Rand became the latest township to benefit from a state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports facility, thanks to a partnership between Nedbank and Kaizer Chiefs.

Explaining the choice, Kaizer Chiefs Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung highlighted the club’s commitment to empowering women’s football.

“We are very deliberate in our choice. The facility is not only helping the school or the community, but also providing a suitable training ground for women’s football. That is why we made sure the Home Sweepers train here,” Motaung said.

The facility was officially handed over to Phulong Secondary School, marking a milestone for the community and for women’s football in particular.

The handover forms part of the Nedbank Cup legacy project, which allows the competition winners to select a school that will benefit from a multipurpose sports court.

Chiefs, crowned 2025 Nedbank Cup champions, exercised this privilege by choosing Phulong Secondary, home to over 1,500 learners and a school deeply embedded in the Kwa-Thema community.

The facility will not only serve Phulong learners but also provide a home ground for Springs Home Sweepers Football Club, a women’s team with which Chiefs have established a strategic partnership.

The partnership between Chiefs and Home Sweepers has grown steadily in recent years, with the two sides working together to develop pathways for women players.

Home Sweepers owner and former Banyana Banyana coach, Joseph Mkhonza, expressed heartfelt gratitude for Chiefs’ investment in Kwa-Thema.

“We appreciate everything Chiefs has done for this community. Chiefs had six former players from this community. This community deserves better than what they’ve been getting,” Mkhonza said.

The unveiling was attended by Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Peace Mabe, who welcomed the initiative as a model for public-private partnerships.

“Partnerships should be fostered with the private sector and this is a step in the right direction. We appreciate Chiefs and Nedbank for this initiative. Let this court become a space for discipline, hard work, talent, and teamwork,” Mabe said.

Learners at Phulong Secondary were equally enthusiastic.

Grade 10 pupil Lindokuhle Gumbi said the project would inspire hope in the school.

“As a school we feel grateful because we don’t usually receive sponsors because of the area we are in. Hopefully, this will inspire dreams for many people,” Gumbi said.

In addition to the court, Chiefs donated sports attire and presented a framed, signed Amakhosi jersey to the school as a symbol of unity and opportunity.

On social media, Nedbank framed the handover as a continuation of the Nedbank Cup’s community impact.

Nedbank Chairperson Daniel Mminele said the initiative aligned with the bank’s belief in the importance of township communities.

“At Nedbank, we recognise that townships are the heartbeat of South Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit, culture, and economic resilience. Through projects like this, we hope to nurture that resilience by creating spaces where young people can thrive,” Mminele said.

Founded in 1969, Phulong Secondary has a proud history spanning 56 years.

The school currently has 1,514 learners enrolled and has produced many achievers, including a learner who won the Southern African Society for Co-operative Education Choral Eisteddfod in July.

The multipurpose sports court adds another feather to its cap, enhancing both its sporting and cultural offerings.

Principal and staff members said the facility would not only improve physical education but also provide a safe, structured environment for learners to pursue their sporting ambitions.

The Kwa-Thema court is the 10th facility built under the Nedbank Cup legacy initiative.

Since its inception, past winners of the Cup have been able to select schools of their choice to receive similar facilities, ensuring that communities across South Africa benefit from footballing success.

For Chiefs, the project reflects their broader philosophy of transforming victories on the field into victories for communities.

As the ribbon was cut and the first learners took to the new court, the occasion represented more than just a handover but a promise of opportunity, growth, and empowerment for Kwa-Thema’s youth.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has urged a renewed national focus on early childhood development (ECD), warning that South Africa’s long-term educational success depends on the foundations laid in pre-school years.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Thrive by Five Index in Sandton on Monday, Gwarube said the findings provide both a sobering reality check and a roadmap for urgent action

“Literacy does not begin when a child learns to read in Grade 1. It begins in the preschool years, in the way a child holds a pencil, in the stories they hear, and in their earliest attempts at writing. If the beginning of the story is weak, the chapters that follow will always be harder to write,” she said.

The Thrive by Five Index, conducted by DataDrive2030 in partnership with the department, assessed more than 5 000 four-year-old children across 1 388 early learning programmes (ELPs) nationwide.

It is the largest survey of its kind on the continent and the first comprehensive post-COVID snapshot of pre-school development.

Gwarube stressed that the availability of high-quality data was crucial to shaping education policy.

“The 2021 Index confirmed the correlation between poverty and poor outcomes, and the 2024 Index reinforces this. That clarity has guided us to double our efforts in making the case for investing in the early years. The R10 billion for ECD support announced by the Minister of Finance [Enoch Godongwana] shows that we are on the right course,” she said.

One of the most striking findings was the stark inequality between high- and low-fee preschools.

Only 42% of enrolled children were found to be developmentally on track, with those in well-resourced centres twice as likely to thrive as those in underfunded programmes.

Fine motor coordination and visual motor integration emerged as the weakest domain, with just 29% of children on track, undermining the ability to transition into reading and writing in primary school.

The minister highlighted another critical challenge: the home environment.

Among enrolled children, only 11% of households had more than five children’s books, while 26% had none. For non-enrolled children, the figure rose to 77%.

To address the gap, the department has partnered with UNICEF and Book Dash to create Stories for Joy, a multilingual collection of storybooks that will be made freely available online.

Gwarube underlined that early childhood development is not only about education but also about health, nutrition, and safe communities.

She outlined four areas of government’s commitment.

In terms of finance and investment, she said it remained important to make subsidies predictable and remove barriers for the poorest children.

In order to facilitate empowering practitioners, the department is planning on investing in training and strengthening pedagogical practices.

Gwarube called for integrated services by partnering with health departments and supporting parents.

Lastly, she emphasised strengthening Grade R and ensuring it bridges gaps for those who start behind and builds on strengths for others.

“The Thrive by Five Index is not just a measure, it is a movement to ensure every child starts school ready to learn, to grow, and to thrive. By 2030, no child should be left behind because of where they were born or how much their parents earn,” she concluded.

DataDrive2030 Executive Director Sonja Glese presented the findings with a stark demonstration: attendees were asked to stand according to colour coded dots representing children on track, falling behind, or far behind.

Most stood in the “falling behind” categories.

Glese highlighted three key obstacles: nutrition, programme quality, and access.

While stunting among enrolled children stood at 7%, she warned that even mild malnutrition can set children back by months of learning.

She also revealed that only 27% of ELPs were rated good, while 30% were inadequate, with strong teaching strategies present in just 17%.

“ECD qualifications alone are not enough, we need to focus on what truly matters in the classroom: curiosity-driven, interactive teaching,” Glese said.

The plight of non-enrolled children was particularly alarming. Only 18% were on track, while more than half were far behind. Most lived in homes with no books and had never been read to.

Despite the challenges, Glese struck a note of optimism.

“We have evidence that poor outcomes for poor children are not inevitable. Some children in difficult circumstances do exceptionally well, showing us what is possible. If we make this a national priority, we can change their story,” she said.

The Thrive by Five Index is set to be repeated every three years until 2030, providing an evolving picture of South Africa’s progress.

Both Gwarube and Glese framed the Index as a rallying point for collective action across government, civil society, and families.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Palesa Nguqu

A suspect involved in the killing of a KwaZulu-Natal school principal has been killed in a shoot-out with police at a hostel in Soweto in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The 40-year-old suspect was linked to the murder of Zwelebantu Zuma, a Msinga school principal who was shot and killed in his office at the school in 2020.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the suspect was a person of interest in various other cases in KwaZulu-Natal involving car hijacking and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

He was tracked down by a tactical unit of the SAPS.

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in statement on Monday, “Members of the National Intervention Unit(NIU) tracked down the suspect to a hostel in Mapetla Soweto. When the suspect noticed the presence of the police, he began shooting and the NIU returned fire fatally wounding him.’’

Two other accused in the case of the murder of Zwelabantu Zuma are already serving life sentences, while another died before the case went to trial.

SAPS is still on the lookout for one suspect.

INSIDE POLITICS

By Akani Nkuna

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT), in collaboration with Standard Bank, has launched a Green Hydrogen and Alternative Energy Hub to safeguard the environment and advance sustainable energy education, research, and innovation.

The initiative aims to cut carbon emissions while empowering students and driving economic growth in the Vaal Triangle and beyond.

Speaking at the official launch on Thursday, VUT Vice-Chancellor Khehla Ndlovu said South Africa has responded through the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, a national strategy that positions hydrogen as a key pillar of the country’s just energy transition.

“Here, in the heart of the Vaal, we know that industries are energy-intensive and that communities bear the burden of pollution and unemployment. We also know that our people carry the ambition to innovate, to engineer, to lead. That is why this Centre matters. It is not just about technology—it is about justice, jobs, and the joy of building a sustainable future,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu, speaking during the launch at the VUT Southern Gauteng Science & Technology Park in Sebokeng, said that the state-of-the-art facilities are designed to accelerate South Africa’s green energy transition through multidisciplinary academic collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Centre will produce hydrogen gas from waste products and renewable-powered systems, incorporating the ideas of both academics and students to develop practical solutions that make hydrogen a viable tool in addressing the challenges of climate change.

Ndlovu stated that the Centre will be critical in equipping students with skills, research opportunities, and real-world experience to meet growing industry demand.

He also highlighted the significance of its Sebokeng location, offering students first-hand exposure to the effects of carbon emissions in an industrial area.

“It houses our Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, Technology Transfer Office, and innovation labs that connect researchers with local and global networks. Its mission has always been to foster industrial renewal through science and technology,” he added.

“By situating the Green Hydrogen Centre here, we anchor it within a space designed for applied research, skills development, and enterprise incubation.”

The Vice-Chancellor further emphasised that the Centre will provide green energy solutions specifically tailored for South African industry, arming the next generation of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs with essential knowledge for the green economy.

“[The Centre] will empower communities by creating jobs, nurturing skills, and ensuring that the benefits of innovation are felt beyond the laboratory, in homes and in local enterprises. The ripple effects are profound: reduced carbon emissions, strengthened energy security, new business opportunities, and, above all, hope,” said Ndlovu.

During an interview with Inside Education outside the Centre, Ndlovu further reiterated the institution’s commitment to decarbonising the entire Sebokeng area and mitigating the health hazards posed by polluting firms.

“We have received R600,000 from Standard Bank and we are matching that amount for the initial costs. We also have our master plan for Sebokeng—not just the campus but the surrounding area—where we are committed to bringing in more buildings to decarbonise the region,” Ndlovu told Inside Education.

Meanwhile, Standard Bank Head of Business and Commercial Banking South, Simone Cooper, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to funding projects across sectors to combat carbon emissions.

She said the bank has allocated R33.6 billion in sustainable finance for infrastructure and R19.8 billion for new renewable energy power plants over the past year, resulting in an estimated cumulative installed renewable capacity of 1,703 megawatts.

“In the past year alone, our climate-focused approach has resulted in R2.4 billion in green finance for homes, R2.2 billion mobilised for planet-smart agriculture, and R2.9 billion provided to 1,500 businesses for renewable energy solutions. This represents a 27% increase in green energy generation capacity, reaching 235 megawatts,” Cooper added.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Rafieka Williams

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela, said Wednesday that stabilising student funding remains a top priority in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of tertiary education.

Manamela delivered a keynote address at the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education’s Strategic Planning Workshop, held in Cape Town from 2 to 4 September 2025.

He told particpants at the workshop that the DHET is adopting a long-term approach to managing challenges in the sector, with a particular focus on funding.

“There has to be urgent reforms with regard to the national skills fund, there are ministerial recommendations on the table which I think we need to accelerate in their implementation and some of that work would require us to come to committee in terms of legislative changes as it relates to the national skills fund,” Manamela said.

“(These are) discussions that would require us to consider bold decisions if we are to have sustainable student funding model. ”

He told participants that the DHET has engaged with National Treasury to address funding stability in the higher education sector, suggesting the reprioritisation of resources to plug the shortfall in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Manamela added that the department is also working to position Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, community colleges, and government departments as central to skills development for school leavers.

However, he cautioned that governance inconsistencies remain a major obstacle to progress.

“There are urgent issues around governance challenges, filling up vacancies with the University of South Africa forum and the college council, TVET’s and the guidance principals of the university and colleges,” Manamela said.

“We are prioritizing stabilizing governance of councils and TVET colleges, finalising the process for the accounting authorities of sector education training authorities and the process for the chairperson of SETA’s.”

Manamela said that by stabilising governing councils, the department could help restore stability to institutions, noting that governance failures and financial misconduct have hampered its ability to deliver.

Referring to the ongoing challenges with Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), he revealed that investigations by the Auditor-General (AG) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have uncovered serious concerns.

“We have had engagements with both the AG and the SIU and, of course, we are concerned with the volume of the work they are doing within our universities and TVET colleges, and the investigations happening there,” he said.

Manamela also urged the sector to reconnect with the original purpose of TVET colleges, established two decades ago.

“I said to the team at the department, we are supposed to be the factory of the brains and thoughts and thinking and skills in the country, we have to show that, that is what we are. Building capacity of our department,” he said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Civil rights organisation AfriForum has welcomed the Department of Basic Education’s decision to extend the deadline for public comments on the draft regulations of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA).

The move has reignited calls from civil society organisations, unions, and advocacy groups for South Africans to help shape the future of schooling.

AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, Alana Bailey, described the extension as “positive and necessary.”

“Both sets of regulations will have a significant impact on the nature of public schools and the provision of high-quality education. It is essential for as many institutions, organisations, and individuals as possible to submit comments,” she said.

Originally set to close on 5 September, the deadline has now been extended to 5 October, according to the Government Gazette.

The regulations, published in August, focus on school capacity and admissions and form part of implementing the BELA Act, which came into effect on 24 December 2024.

Bailey welcomed the extra time, saying it would allow the public to provide more thoughtful and detailed input. She also warned that vague or contradictory regulations could trigger costly legal battles.

“Legislation is often broad, and regulations must bring clarity on its application. If people feel the regulations are unclear, inconsistent, or out of touch with realities in schools, these concerns must be raised with the Minister and the Department. This is particularly important if they infringe on the rights of learners, teachers, or the Constitution itself,” she added.

AfriForum confirmed it is finalising its submission in consultation with its legal team.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has also weighed in, voicing “great concern” over the minister’s approach.

SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke argued that the regulations undermine both the letter and spirit of the Act, which followed more than a decade of consultations and parliamentary processes.

“Regulations cannot be used to change the text of the Act, impose requirements not provided for, or undermine its purpose and intent,” he said.

The union criticised the Minister for publishing regulations on only two areas instead of the eight originally envisaged, warning this piecemeal approach could create confusion. It further claimed that several provisions fall outside the Minister’s legal authority, encroaching on other ministries such as Home Affairs and Public Administration, and ignoring Constitutional Court rulings on learners’ rights.

Civil society group Free SA has also raised objections, warning that the regulations could weaken school governing bodies (SGBs) and marginalise parents in decision-making. A key concern is a clause that allows provincial officials to override SGB decisions on admissions, zoning, and language policy.

Free SA argues that this shift would erode accountability and weaken the democratic role of SGBs, which were designed to secure parental and community involvement in education.

The Department has defended the regulations as necessary to ensure uniformity, fairness, and improved governance in public schools. Officials say they will enhance equity and accountability while modernising school governance for the country’s 13.5 million learners.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Rafieka Williams

KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka on Wednesday visited Dr. Joseph Shabalala High School in Ladysmith following public outcry over a viral video showing a teacher physically disciplining learners.

The clip, which has garnered more than one million views on X (formerly Twitter), shows a teacher raising his hands against three learners lined up at the front of a classroom while others watch.

The footage prompted swift action from the provincial education department.

On Wednesday morning, Hlomuka met with learners, educators, the School Governing Body (SGB), and the teachers’ unions during his visit.

“The necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of learners and to protect the integrity of the investigation and its outcome. These measures are meant to ensure stability in the school as all learners prepare for final exams,” he said afterwards.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) condemned the use of violence in classrooms.

“SADTU does not condone violence against learners in any form,” said union spokesperson Nomusa Cembi.

However, Cembi cautioned against blanket criticism of teachers, noting that many face challenges with unruly learners, but maintained that physical punishment is unjustifiable.

Corporal punishment in schools is outlawed in South Africa.

However, a recent Stats SA report found that 40% of households with children still support its use in classrooms, with rural households more likely than urban ones to view it as acceptable.

“More households in rural areas than urban areas had perceptions that it was acceptable for children to be physically punished for breaking the rules,” the report said.

Link to video: https://x.com/zanewsflash/status/1962793980342509687?s=46&t=sAkwO42qu_SM2NeCbQPBlQ

INSIDE EDUCATION