What began as a leap of faith has developed into a promising career for Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) alumna Rolivhuwa Tshisevhe, whose decision to study Financial Information Systems (FIS) has opened doors she once never imagined possible.

Inspired by her brother to pursue a career in IT auditing, Tshisevhe enrolled for FIS despite initially having limited knowledge of what the field entailed. Looking back, she describes the decision as one of the best decisions she has made in her life.

Her recent appointment as Director of Marketing and Communications at the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) South Africa marks a significant milestone in her professional journey and provides her with a platform to contribute to the development of current and aspiring professionals.

Originally from Dzimauli in Venda, Tshisevhe began her professional journey as an intern before progressing to her current position as a Third-Party Assurance Specialist. She credits TUT with providing the academic foundation and practical knowledge that have helped her navigate the professional environment.

She said the industry-focused knowledge she gained at the University, particularly in information systems, data analytics, governance, risk management and auditing, continues to support her in her daily responsibilities.

“Looking back, my time at TUT prepared me exceptionally well for my professional career. Studying FIS gave me a strong balance between business, auditing and technology, which provided me with a well-rounded understanding of how organisations operate and how technology supports business objectives,” she said.

Driven by a desire to contribute to the growth of young professionals, Tshisevhe joined ISACA to share her knowledge, expand her professional network and remain connected to developments in the industry.

“I want to become more involved in the community. Joining ISACA gave me the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, stay informed about industry developments, contribute to the profession, and give back by supporting the growth and development of current and future professionals,” she said.

Through her leadership role at ISACA South Africa, Tshisevhe hopes to use her growing professional network to engage key stakeholders and help create opportunities for graduates and young professionals entering the industry.

Her journey from a TUT Financial Information Systems student to an industry professional and ISACA South Africa leader demonstrates how an academic foundation, professional ambition and a commitment to giving back can create opportunities for continued growth.

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Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has confirmed that approximately 300,000 placement offers for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners have been released since the start of the 2027 Online Admissions placement process at 4pm on 15 October 2026.

Of these, 130,233 offers have already been accepted. Parents with outstanding offers have been urged to accept them within seven days. The Department described this as a major milestone in efforts to ensure learners are placed ahead of the 2027 academic year.

The placement phase follows the closure of the 2027 Online Admissions application period on 4 September 2026. During the application window, the Gauteng Department of Education received 781,476 applications, comprising 335,346 Grade 1 applications and 446,130 Grade 8 applications.

These applications related to 346,556 individual learners, including 169,221 prospective Grade 1 learners and 177,335 prospective Grade 8 learners.

According to the Department, the large number of applications reflects continued public confidence in the Gauteng education system and belief in the quality of public education offered by the province.

Maile said the confidence shown by parents places a responsibility on the Department to provide access to education through a fair, transparent and credible placement process.

At the same time, he acknowledged that growing demand continues to place significant pressure on school infrastructure and available classroom space. Gauteng faces an infrastructure backlog, particularly in fast-growing communities experiencing population growth, urbanisation and rising learner enrolment. This has contributed to overcrowding at some schools and a mismatch between demand and available infrastructure.

The Department said it remains committed to addressing these challenges through the construction of new schools, the expansion of existing facilities and strengthened infrastructure delivery programmes. Public-private partnerships are also being pursued to accelerate school infrastructure development.

Despite the pressures, the Department said infrastructure constraints should not unnecessarily limit access to education.

Placement Process and Release of Offers

Following the closure of applications, schools and district offices undertook verification and quality assurance processes to ensure placement decisions comply with admission requirements and supporting documentation submitted by parents.

The system began issuing placement offers from 4pm on 15 October after these processes had been completed.

The Department stressed that the start of placements does not mean all applicants will receive offers at the same time. Offers are being released in phases as applications are processed and school capacity is confirmed.

As a result, some parents may receive notifications before others. The Department emphasised that this should not be interpreted as meaning an application has been unsuccessful.

Parents whose applications were correctly completed and supported by all required documents will continue receiving placement offers as the process progresses.

Placement Criteria and School Preferences

The Department said it will seek to place learners at schools closest to their residential or work addresses, depending on the placement options selected during the application process.

Placement decisions are guided by prescribed admission criteria, including proximity to home, whether siblings already attend the school, proximity to a learner’s previous school where relevant, the parent’s work address and available capacity at the school.

Maile said these criteria are designed to promote fairness while recognising the practical circumstances of families, particularly the need for accessible schools and manageable travelling distances.

However, he cautioned that not every learner will be placed at a first-choice school.

Some schools have received applications far exceeding their capacity. More than 20 secondary schools received over 1,800 Grade 8 applications each, highlighting exceptionally high demand for places at certain institutions.

The Department acknowledged that parents have legitimate preferences regarding schools, but said these preferences must be balanced against available space and the obligation to accommodate all learners.

Where a preferred school is already full, learners may be placed at alternative schools with available capacity, taking into account admission criteria and proximity to the parent’s home or workplace.

Maile appealed to parents to recognise that government’s responsibility extends beyond individual school preferences to ensuring equitable access to education for all learners.

Incomplete Applications and Outstanding Documentation

The Department has found that some parents did not upload or submit all the documentation needed to complete their applications.

Missing documents include proof of residence or work address, identity documents and other records required to verify applicants’ eligibility.

Officials warned that incomplete applications will delay placement for affected learners.

The Department said document verification is not simply an administrative process but an essential safeguard to ensure fairness, integrity and credibility in the admissions system.

Applications that remain incomplete cannot be processed in the same way as those that meet all requirements.

Parents with incomplete applications have been encouraged to contact their district offices to determine the status of their submissions and obtain guidance on the necessary administrative steps.

The Department said it will continue assisting affected families while maintaining the integrity of the admissions process.

Acceptance of Placement Offers

Parents and guardians will receive placement notifications via SMS to the cellphone numbers provided during the application process. They may also log in to their profiles to check whether placement offers have been issued.

Once an offer has been received, parents must log on to the Online Admissions System at www.gdeadmissions.gov.za within seven days and select an acceptance option.

They may either accept the placement as final or accept it provisionally while waiting to see whether offers are received from other schools.

The Department warned that accepting an offer as final secures the learner’s place at that school and cannot later be reversed through the normal acceptance process.

Parents have been encouraged to monitor their SMS notifications and online profiles regularly and respond promptly to placement offers.

Opportunity to Object and Appeal Placement Decisions

Maile said parents who are dissatisfied with placement outcomes will have access to a formal objections and appeals process.

Objections and appeals will be assessed through established administrative procedures, taking into account the circumstances of each application, admission criteria and the availability of space at schools.

However, the MEC stressed that lodging an objection or appeal does not automatically guarantee placement at a preferred school, especially where that school has already reached capacity.

Parents are urged to follow the prescribed procedures rather than disrupting activities at schools or district offices.

The Department further clarified that objections or appeals may only be lodged when a learner has been transferred for placement to a school for which the parent or guardian did not apply.

Departmental Commitment to Learner Placement

Maile reiterated the Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to education.

The placement process will continue as officials work through outstanding applications and available capacity across the province until all placements have been finalised.

He acknowledged that uncertainty around placements may be stressful for parents and guardians awaiting confirmation of their children’s schooling arrangements for 2027.

The Department has appealed for patience, cooperation and understanding while schools, district offices and provincial officials complete the large-scale task of placing hundreds of thousands of learners.

Maile said the ongoing challenges associated with learner placement underscore the need to accelerate infrastructure development, expand school capacity and improve long-term planning to meet the demands of Gauteng’s growing population.

He added that the continued confidence shown by residents in the provincial education system must be matched by government’s efforts to strengthen that system and improve its capacity to accommodate every learner.

The Department said its overriding priority remains ensuring that no learner is denied access to education unnecessarily and that the 2027 academic year begins with learners placed in schools where teaching and learning can proceed effectively.

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Professor Samkelo Malgas, an internationally recognised biochemist and NRF Y-rated scientist at the University of Pretoria (UP), was recently awarded the 2026 NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers.

The award recognises outstanding research performance in the Life Sciences, honouring his work in advancing enzyme-driven solutions for South Africa’s bioeconomy. Malgas is an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this prestigious award. On a personal level, the award is a moment of quiet reflection on a journey that has included uncertainty, long hours, difficult experiments, rejections of manuscripts and grant proposals, and the constant need to balance research, teaching, supervision, and life beyond academia.

“It reminds me that progress in science is rarely a straight line; it is built through persistence, learning from setbacks, and remaining curious even when the path forward is not immediately clear.

“I am also mindful that this recognition belongs to more than me. It reflects the guidance of my mentors, the trust of my collaborators, the hard work of my students and research team, and the unwavering support of my family and friends,” an elated Malgas said.

“Professionally, I see this recognition as a spotlight on the work of my research group and our broader efforts to advance enzyme biotechnology, biomass valorisation and sustainable biorefinery approaches for South Africa’s bioeconomy.

“I hope it will draw greater attention to our research and open doors to new collaborations, funding opportunities and partnerships that can help us translate fundamental science into practical, impactful solutions.

“As an emerging researcher, I regard the award as both an encouragement and a responsibility: to continue building an inclusive and productive research environment, to mentor the next generation of scientists, and to contribute to research that creates value for society, industry, and the environment.

“I am especially grateful to the University and the Faculty for providing an enabling environment to do my research,” Malgas concluded.

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Engen has welcomed 50 young people to its 2026 ICT Learnership Programme, investing in crucial digital skills to help address youth unemployment and prepare participants for opportunities in a technology-driven economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).

The one-year programme commenced on 1 October 2026, with 20 learners based in South Durban, 15 in uMthatha, East London and 15 in Witbank, Mpumalanga. Delivered in partnership with Dlama SS Investment Holdings, the initiative aims to equip unemployed young people with industry-relevant skills, practical workplace experience and pathways towards employment, further education and technology entrepreneurship.

The programme focuses on specialised ICT pathways, including Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT). As businesses increasingly adopt digital technologies, demand for relevant technical skills continues to shape the changing world of work. By providing training in these fields, the programme seeks to help bridge the gap between skills development and the capabilities needed to participate in the digital economy.

The ICT Learnership Programme forms part of the Engen Global Citizen Development Programme (EGCDP), launched in 2023 to empower young people through industry-relevant skills development and create pathways into economic participation. The programme’s broader objective is to help address unemployment by investing in initiatives that enable young people not only to secure employment, but also to create employment through entrepreneurship, contributing to stronger and more self-sustaining communities.

“Through the EGCDP, we aim to equip young people with the skills, confidence and workplace exposure needed to pursue meaningful careers in the ICT sector,” said Olwethu Mdabula, Engen CSI Manager.

“Ultimately, our objective is to contribute towards addressing unemployment by creating pathways not only into employment, but also into entrepreneurship and further education. By investing in young people and supporting their ability to create sustainable livelihoods, we want to encourage greater economic participation and help build self-sustaining communities.”

The one-year programme combines three months of classroom-based learning with nine months of practical workplace training, allowing learners to develop technical capabilities and apply their knowledge in real-world working environments.

Using a blended learning model that combines digital learning, practical skills development and workplace exposure, the programme prepares learners for the changing demands of the workplace. Participants are also introduced to the digital platforms and support systems they will use throughout their learning journey.

Andiswa Mkhize, Engen Talent & Development Manager said the programme provides learners with an opportunity to develop skills aligned with the changing demands of the workplace.

“Technology is transforming the way businesses operate and creating new opportunities across industries. It is therefore important that young people are equipped with relevant digital skills and practical experience that can help them navigate the changing world of work,” said Mkhize.

“The programme provides learners with an opportunity to build their technical capabilities while developing the workplace skills and experience needed to enter the job market.”

Thando Husha, Communication & Projects Executive at Dlama SS Investment Holdings, said the renewed partnership with Engen enabled greater access to ICT skills development.

“Our role is to provide the structure, support and learning environment that enables participants to make the most of this opportunity. We recognise that every learner brings unique potential, and we are committed to creating an environment in which that potential can be developed through structured learning, practical application and continuous support.

“Through our collaboration with Engen, we aim to ensure that learners not only work towards achieving their qualifications but also develop the mindset, resilience and professional readiness needed to pursue sustainable career opportunities in the ICT sector.” said Husha.

“We are excited to see this new cohort begin their journey and to support them as they develop technical skills, gain workplace experience and prepare for opportunities within the digital economy.”

The 2026 intake builds on encouraging outcomes from the programme’s earlier cohorts. At a graduation ceremony in Durban in March 2026, Engen celebrated 20 young people from the South Durban Basin who had completed nationally recognised qualifications in IT Technical Support (NQF Level 4) and IT Systems Development (NQF Level 5).

The programme has demonstrated progress in connecting skills development with economic opportunities. Among the initial cohort, 30% of graduates secured permanent employment opportunities, with 22% retained in permanent employment. A further 37% progressed to further studies, while 7% launched small technology enterprises. Another 33% remained in an active employment placement pipeline, supported by ongoing engagement with employers across the ICT sector.

The programme’s work-integrated learning model is central to these outcomes, with approximately 70% of training taking place through practical workplace exposure. Industry partners provide opportunities for learners to apply their technical knowledge, gain experience in real ICT environments and build connections that can support their transition into employment or entrepreneurship.

Building on the pilot programme in Durban, the initiative expanded across KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo during the 2025/2026 programme cycle, with 31 learners enrolled. Encouragingly, 25% of learners were identified for potential full-time employment through their workplace training hosts.

By expanding access to specialised ICT training and strengthening links with industry, Engen aims to help more young people develop the capabilities and experience needed to participate in the digital economy, while supporting pathways into employment, entrepreneurship and further education.

The initiative supports Engen’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4, Quality Education, and SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Engen wishes the 2026 learners every success as they begin their ICT learning journey and take the next step towards building careers, pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities and contributing to South Africa’s economic development.

#EngenCares #ICT #SkillsDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment

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News stories about lost dockets, incomplete evidence and missing witnesses have dominated the headlines in South Africa in recent years.

Tracking fraud, managing evidence and solving complex cases could soon become easier, thanks to a digital tool developed by a North-West University (NWU) professor in forensic accountancy.

Prof. Constant van Graan, associate professor and programme leader for forensic accountancy, has developed the Ponaletso Commercial Forensic Interviewing (CFI) Digital Platform, which brings key parts of a forensic investigation into one digital space. Ponaletso means “transparency” in Sesotho, and the tool aims to help investigators save time, reduce paperwork and keep accurate records.

Forensic teams often rely on several systems to manage cases, interviews and evidence. This slows their work and makes it hard to keep track of key facts.

“Investigators often face the challenge of managing large amounts of information across different systems,” says Van Graan. “Ponaletso brings these processes together in one secure and organised space. Our goal is to make investigations more efficient, improve the handling of evidence and help investigators make informed decisions.”

The platform supports each stage of an investigation, from opening a case to writing the final report. It helps teams store evidence, manage interviews, track documents and identify links between people involved in a case. It also uses artificial intelligence (AI) to support certain tasks and help teams manage their workload.

Making investigations easier

According to Van Graan, the idea behind Ponaletso is to help investigators work faster without losing control of vital evidence.

The platform also tracks the chain of custody, so investigators have a record of who handled each piece of evidence, when they handled it and how it moved during the investigation.

He believes the tool could benefit forensic firms, banks, insurance companies, auditors and public sector teams, as well as units that investigate fraud and financial crime.

The technology is at an advanced prototype stage, with its main case management, evidence handling, and office functions already in place, and the Ponaletso name has been trademarked to protect the platform’s identity ahead of its market launch.

NWU seeks industry partners

Ponaletso demonstrates how university-based innovation can address practical, real-world challenges, and the NWU is now looking for partners to test the system, refine its features and explore ways to bring it to market.

Working with industry partners will help the university test and develop the platform further. The NWU owns the intellectual property and may license the technology to interested partners.

Organisations interested in testing or developing the platform can contact TechTransfer@nwu.ac.za or visit: https://services.nwu.ac.za/technology-transfer-and-innovation-support/h….

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Public Affairs students from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) gained valuable first-hand insight into South Africa’s democratic and legislative processes during a recent educational excursion to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

Organised by the Department of Public Management, the visit brought classroom learning to life by exposing students to the day-to-day workings of a legislative institution and providing practical insight into public administration, governance and democratic decision-making.

The excursion formed part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice. Through direct engagement with legislative practitioners, students explored the roles, responsibilities and operational functions of the provincial legislature.

The programme included presentations on the mandate and responsibilities of the Legislature, the law-making process and the provincial budgeting system, including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The sessions enabled students to connect their academic studies with the practical realities of legislative administration, public participation, oversight and financial governance.

A highlight of the visit was a mock legislative sitting in the GPL Council Chamber. During the interactive session, students were introduced to procedures governing legislative proceedings and participated in simulations of parliamentary processes. Demonstrations of the roles of the Speaker and Members of the Legislature provided students with a practical understanding of how debate, decision-making and oversight unfold within a legislative environment.

The experience also highlighted the importance of leadership, accountability, procedural discipline and democratic representation. By engaging directly with legislative processes, students were able to move beyond textbook concepts and develop a deeper appreciation of how public institutions operate in practice.

Honourable Thulani Kunene, Deputy Chairperson of Committees at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, delivered a keynote address during the programme. Reflecting on the legacy of the youth of 1976, he encouraged students to recognise the important role young people continue to play in strengthening democracy and advancing public participation in governance.

The excursion concluded with a guided tour of the Legislature, during which students learned more about the institution’s history, heritage and contribution to democratic governance in Gauteng and South Africa.

Students described the experience as informative, inspiring and highly relevant to their studies and future careers. The visit strengthened their understanding of legislative administration, policy-making, budgeting and public participation while offering valuable exposure to the realities of working in the public sector.

Through experiential learning initiatives such as this, the Department of Public Management continues to equip students with the knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to public administration and governance.

The excursion also underscored the value of collaboration between higher education institutions and government entities in preparing capable, ethical and work-ready graduates for the public sector.

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South Africa’s public finances have reached a turning point, with government declaring that years of difficult fiscal consolidation have finally stabilised the country’s debt burden and created room for targeted spending aimed at supporting growth, infrastructure development and the fight against crime and gender-based violence.

Tabling the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana argued that the country had moved away from the fiscal fragility that followed years of State Capture, weak economic growth, rising debt and the economic devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Godongwana said the government had deliberately taken tough decisions over the past five years by limiting bailouts to state-owned entities, controlling expenditure and prioritising investment over consumption.

Those measures, he said, were now beginning to deliver results.

“For the first time in nearly two decades, our debt-to-GDP ratio has stabilised,” he told Parliament.

National Treasury expects gross government debt to peak at 78.4% of GDP in 2025/26 before beginning a gradual decline, a milestone government has repeatedly identified as critical to restoring investor confidence and protecting public finances.

The improved fiscal outlook has been helped by stronger-than-expected tax collections, particularly from corporate income tax, VAT and dividends tax. Treasury revised this year’s revenue estimate upwards by R17.1 billion, although it warned that part of the increase stemmed from temporary gains linked to higher commodity prices.

Gross tax revenue is projected to grow from R2.14 trillion in the current financial year to R2.53 trillion by 2029/30.

The improved revenue position has enabled government to increase expenditure by R45.5 billion compared with projections made in the February Budget.

Treasury said the additional spending would be directed largely towards service delivery, disaster relief, infrastructure development and law-enforcement interventions.

Among the allocations announced was R823 million for the South African National Defence Force to support police operations combating gang violence and illegal mining, while R516 million has been set aside for the Madlanga, Khampepe and Nkabinde commissions of inquiry.

Additional funding will also strengthen the Border Management Authority and the South African Revenue Service, with SARS receiving resources to accelerate modernisation and improve cyber resilience.

Government has further allocated R150 million towards development of the MyMzansi application, a digital platform intended to give citizens access to government services through a single portal.

The MTBPS comes against the backdrop of a deteriorating global economic environment.

Treasury said geopolitical tensions, including conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, had disrupted oil supply routes and pushed up global energy prices. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz had triggered fuel price increases and heightened inflationary pressures worldwide.

Global economic growth is now forecast at 3.1% in 2026, down from earlier projections of 3.3%.

South Africa’s growth forecast has similarly been revised downward.

Treasury now projects the domestic economy will grow by only 1.2% in 2026, compared with the 1.6% estimated in February.

Growth is expected to improve gradually to 1.6% in 2027 and reach 2% by 2029.

Even so, government maintains that structural reforms already under way could eventually lift economic growth above 3% annually.

The minister reiterated that the country’s economic strategy remains focused on four pillars: maintaining macroeconomic stability, implementing structural reforms, building state capacity and expanding infrastructure investment.

Particular attention is being given to reforms in the water and electricity sectors.

Government said the National Water Action Plan aims to address deteriorating infrastructure, weak municipal capacity, water losses and poor governance that continue to undermine service delivery.

In the electricity sector, the restructuring of Eskom and the creation of an independent transmission operator are intended to create a more competitive market, attract investment and accelerate grid expansion.

Infrastructure spending remains one of government’s principal growth strategies.

Treasury has placed increasing emphasis on ensuring that public investment delivers measurable economic returns while also attracting private capital.

A key development highlighted in the MTBPS is the operational launch of the Infrastructure Finance and Implementation Support Agency (IFISA), which began work in April.

The agency consolidates project preparation, financial structuring and advisory services under a single institution to reduce delays and improve project execution.

Treasury said IFISA is already supporting projects worth more than R217 billion across all spheres of government.

Government is also accelerating the use of public-private partnerships, particularly at municipal level where service delivery challenges remain acute.

Of the 68 projects currently in the public-private partnership pipeline, 31 are municipal projects.

Treasury said amended municipal PPP regulations have now been submitted to Parliament and would simplify approval processes while making it easier for municipalities to partner with private investors.

Another major initiative is the Credit Guarantee Vehicle, designed to mobilise private funding for infrastructure projects by reducing investor risk.

The vehicle was formally incorporated in August and has already secured conditional commitments of $553 million from development partners, including the World Bank.

It is expected to become operational in 2027.

Treasury also disclosed the findings of a review into infrastructure conditional grants.

Between 2017/18 and 2023/24, national government transferred R887 billion to provinces and municipalities through such grants.

While most of the money was spent, the review found that projects were frequently delayed, left incomplete or failed to deliver intended outcomes.

Government plans to reform the grant system to strengthen planning, oversight and accountability.

A key policy announcement contained in the MTBPS is the introduction of a new fiscal anchor.

Draft legislation released for public comment would embed fiscal sustainability principles into the Public Finance Management Act.

Rather than imposing fixed numerical debt targets, the proposed framework would require each administration to set its own fiscal objectives and report publicly on progress.

The Financial and Fiscal Commission would also be given enhanced powers to independently evaluate whether fiscal frameworks remain aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

Treasury argues that the approach balances accountability with flexibility during changing economic conditions.

The MTBPS also contains a package aimed at easing pressure on consumers facing higher fuel costs.

A temporary reduction in the fuel levy will take effect from November.

Diesel users will receive relief of R3 per litre and petrol users R1.50 per litre until 1 December 2026. Reduced relief measures will remain in place until January 2027.

The intervention is expected to cost the fiscus R10 billion in foregone revenue.

Treasury said the programme will be funded by returning R10 billion previously allocated to the Central Energy Fund back to the National Revenue Fund.

The minister described the measure as targeted support designed to cushion households and businesses against rising living costs without undermining fiscal sustainability.

Government also outlined efforts to improve spending efficiency.

An additional R38.1 billion in savings has been identified over the medium term, on top of R12 billion announced earlier this year.

Savings will come from reducing duplication in government programmes, tackling fraud in social grants, improving performance in housing programmes and utilising surpluses within public entities.

The largest saving, R13 billion, is expected from anti-fraud measures in the social grant system.

Despite efforts to contain spending, Treasury emphasised that social programmes remain central to government policy.

Social wage spending accounts for approximately 60% of non-interest expenditure and includes education, healthcare, housing, municipal services and social grants.

Government provides free basic services to more than 11 million households and supports over 18 million social grant beneficiaries.

The MTBPS also introduces additional spending aimed at tackling child malnutrition and strengthening agricultural extension services.

A total of R1.6 billion has been allocated to early childhood interventions focused on nutrition during pregnancy and the first thousand days of a child’s life.

Another R1.5 billion will support agricultural extension officers assisting farming communities.

Addressing crime and gender-based violence featured prominently in the budget statement.

Government announced R3.8 billion to employ more than 3,500 social workers to strengthen prevention and response measures.

An additional R186 million will go towards forensic and investigative capacity.

Treasury also confirmed plans to expand specialised sexual offences courts from 55 to 101 and increase the number of Thuthuzela Care Centres from 72 to 80 by the 2028/29 financial year.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will receive an extra R157.4 million to improve coordination of government’s response to gender-based violence and femicide.

Broader law-enforcement interventions include R810 million to recapitalise the South African Police Service vehicle fleet, while R2.2 billion has been allocated over the medium term to strengthen judicial independence.

Government said these interventions form part of wider efforts to combat organised crime, corruption and illicit economic activity.

In line with preparations for a Financial Action Task Force evaluation process, authorities will continue strengthening anti-money laundering systems and improving investigations, prosecutions and asset forfeitures.

Further measures are planned to improve border management and address immigration-related challenges.

On the local government front, Treasury announced substantial increases in transfers to municipalities.

An additional R21.8 billion has been allocated through the local government equitable share to help cover rising costs associated with free basic services.

Provincial governments will receive an additional R20.5 billion to assist with growing expenditure pressures in healthcare and education.

Despite increased funding, Treasury signalled a tougher stance toward underperforming municipalities.

The minister revealed that transfers to 69 municipalities had been suspended after persistent failures to pay creditors.

By July, 37 of those municipalities had reached repayment agreements, resulting in R4.2 billion being paid to creditors.

Government is also investing a further R3.5 billion in smart metering programmes to improve municipal revenue collection and reduce losses.

Concluding the MTBPS, Godongwana said South Africa’s fiscal position had improved significantly, but warned that sustaining progress would require continued discipline and reform.

With debt stabilising, borrowing costs easing and infrastructure investment gaining momentum, Treasury believes the foundations have been laid for stronger and more inclusive growth.

The challenge now, the minister said, is translating fiscal stability into faster economic expansion, improved service delivery and sustainable job creation.

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A sports court can be a place to learn teamwork, test one’s abilities and discover a love for the game. In Marikana, North West, it is also part of a much bigger effort to prepare children for a future beyond the classroom and the mining economy that has shaped their community.

The Marikana Cruyff Court was officially launched on October 20 at the Marikana Youth Centre, operated by Afrika Tikkun, in partnership with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, Carglass/Belron Netherlands, Sibanye-Stillwater and Scania Southern Africa.

The new facility reinforces a shared investment in the long-term development of young people in the mining community and adds a dedicated space for sport and recreation to an existing Afrika Tikkun youth development programme reaching more than 600 children and young people annually.

Agnes Sibanda, Head of Scale and Outreach at Afrika Tikkun, said the facility gives children another way to learn, build relationships and participate in the life of the centre.

“We believe sport and movement are a key part of children’s lives,” said Sibanda. The court, she explained, complemented the centre’s existing work by giving children another way to participate in structured activities and develop beyond their academics, within the context of a holistic child and youth development.

“Sport gives children space to discover their abilities, build confidence and learn to work with others. At Marikana, those experiences become part of a wider support system that includes learning, nutrition and social support. The court strengthens what we can offer young people as they grow.”

Officially opened in July 2024, the Marikana Youth Centre brings together education, digital skills, personal development and social support, recognising that young people need more than one kind of opportunity to prepare for adulthood.

For over 30 years, through its “Cradle-to-Career” model, Afrika Tikkun has supported children from age three and guided them through education, skills training, and employment opportunities.

Children from Grade 1 to Grade 9 can access after-school support through Afrika Tikkun’s Ignite programme, including literacy and numeracy. The centre also provides a plated meal each day and access to an auxiliary social worker for children who need additional support.

Older learners can develop digital skills and participate in work readiness programmes. More than 70 digital workstations provide access to learning resources and opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to reach.

The center’s programmes draw children from local feeder schools and surrounding rural and peri-rural communities, where distances between schools and families can make access to structured after-school activities more challenging. The court adds opportunities for physical activity and organised sport alongside this educational support. Planned activities include health and fitness sessions, as well as soccer and netball tournaments that will bring the wider community onto the court.

The Johan Cruyff Foundation uses sport and play to encourage physical activity and support children’s development. Its partnership with Afrika Tikkun uses sport to teach young people life skills such as teamwork, resilience and fair play. Through the partnership, Marikana is the fourth Cruyff Court at an Afrika Tikkun centre, following Diepsloot, Mfuleni and Orange Farm.

“In Marikana, that approach was brought into an established youth development programme rather than introduced as a standalone project,” added Sibanda. “Preparing children and teenagers for opportunities beyond school is part of thinking ahead to a time when livelihoods may look different from those available today. The court is one part of that broader commitment.”

Marc Lubner, Executive Chairperson & Group CEO of Afrika Tikkun, echoed her sentiments says that children deserve the space and opportunity to discover what they are capable of. Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire and unite people like nothing else does.

It helps young people develop confidence, discipline, resilience and a sense of belonging, “the Cruyff Court brings that opportunity into the heart of the Marikana Youth Centre, strengthening the work already being done to prepare children for the future.

“This is what meaningful investment in young people looks like, creating opportunities today that can shape the adults and communities of tomorrow.”

He said transforming young lives requires more than a single intervention.

“It requires a sustained commitment, with partners willing to invest in children’s development over time. The Cruyff Court demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations bring their resources and expertise together around a shared purpose. By connecting sport with education, skills development and personal growth, we are helping create an environment in which young people can see possibilities for their future and have the support to pursue them.”

Lubner said the Johan Cruyff Foundation team and Carglass, headed by Bas Creemer, a long-standing friend of Afrika Tikkun, were living examples of Madiba’s values. He also thanked Siyanda Siko of Sibanye-Stillwater for bringing a human touch to the commercial world of mining and making the court possible on company property

The court’s launch brought together representatives of partner organisations, sponsors, community stakeholders and programme participants.

Niels Meijer, CEO of the Johan Cruyff Foundation and a former professional basketball player for the Dutch national team, shared how sport joined people to do good and gave them purpose in life.

Aron Winter, a Johan Cruyff Foundation ambassador who played for the Netherlands and a number of top European clubs, encouraged the men and women who coach and train at Afrika Tikkun to care for the young people as if they were their own. The most important measure of success, he said, was simply to have fun.

“For the children who use the centre, the value of the new facility will be found in what happens on it: from the games played, to the activities shared and the opportunities to take part in something beyond the school day. And that is why this investment is so important,” Sibanda concluded.

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Following the second Bana Pele Leadership Summit, held on 19–20 October under the theme “From Blueprint to Movement”, Afrika Tikkun has applauded the initiative and its efforts to capture data across South Africa’s early childhood development (ECD) sector.

The organisation says this creates an important opportunity to establish a baseline of children’s developmental standards, enabling the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to identify gaps, target areas requiring support and measure improvements over time.

Marc Lubner, CEO of Afrika Tikkun, a non-profit organisation working to develop children and youth through its Cradle-to-Career model, says understanding individual children’s developmental progress is essential to identifying learning gaps early and helping educators provide targeted support.

“While expanding access to ECD remains critical, the next step is to use the data collected to inform decisions about the quality of learning and the support each child needs,” he says.

The Bana Pele campaign, led by the Department of Basic Education, aims to advance ECD and achieve universal access to quality early learning by 2030. The summit’s theme, “From Blueprint to Movement”, reflects the shift from mapping ECD centres, registering facilities and counting children reached to using the data collected to inform action.

Each child is an individual

Theresa Michael, CEO of Afrika Tikkun Bambanani stresses that each child’s progress must be understood individually.

“Children from hugely different early-learning backgrounds can arrive at primary school at the same time but often don’t have the same foundations. Inevitably children develop and progress at different paces. A system that counts enrolment without understanding developmental progress risks missing that difference.”

“Through our intensive workbook-based approach at Afrika Tikkun, each child’s progress can be assessed individually. This feedback helps teachers and schools understand how a child is progressing and where additional support may be needed. It also helps us identify where teachers may need more training or support. This data can also be useful to the Department of Basic Education (DBE).”

Disability inclusion

Michael believes the data can help identify those with disabilities or additional learning needs, so they are also included and supported.

Collaborating with specialist partners, the Afrika Tikkun Bambanani team helps ECD centres become more inclusive through teacher training, developmental screening, adapted learning resources and practical changes to learning environments.

“Inclusion cannot just be something we talk about,” says Michael. “Some children need extra support, and some teachers want to help but don’t always know how to do so. We equip those teachers with the skills and confidence to include every child in the learning experience. At least five percent of the children on our programme are children with disabilities or additional learning needs.”

Tech enablement using AI, with responsible use and values

Harnessing emerging technology, Afrika Tikkun has introduced AI ways of thinking and redrafted its curriculum to include AI as a tool. This year alone, Afrika Tikkun has delivered 2,550 tablets with headphones to 400 ECD centres across nine provinces, giving more children opportunities to experience digital learning, says Lubner.

“Technology shouldn’t be something a child first encounters when they reach high school,” says Lubner. “Our children are growing up in a digital world, and they deserve to be part of it from the beginning.”

Lubner says early childhood development also provides an opportunity to introduce responsible thinking and values around technology from an early age.

“As society debates the risks of AI and how it should be regulated, we strongly believe early learning has a role to play in developing critical thinking, good values and responsible approaches to technology. This is an important part of preparing children for the future. We do this through our Cradle to Career Model.”

“If we don’t invest in children when they’re young, we spend years trying to fix learning gaps that could have been prevented. We can’t keep waiting until children are struggling in primary school before we intervene. By then, we are already playing catch-up,” says Lubner.

The Afrika Tikkun’s Bambanani programme is helped external ECD centres to register with the Bana Pele registration process through mass registration drives. Over 800 ECD centres, beyond their five sites, have been helped to register on Bana Pele/eCares, helping centres move towards formalisation and access to government support.

Speaking at the recent Summit, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and President Cyril Ramaphosa both emphasised that while expanding access to ECD is important, children also need quality early learning and strong foundations.

Lubner says this must remain the focus as Bana Pele moves into its next phase.

“We want to keep the child at the centre. For us that means better information and data to provide better support, strengthen teaching and improve developmental outcomes. We have the data and technology to help guide this process, and we need to use them to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives.”

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Qualifications don’t always guarantee employment for people with disabilities. This was one of the key issues discussed at the second Disability Indaba, hosted by the Wits Department of Social Work, Lead Change Developments and the Phila Sonke Wellness Initiative.

Held under the theme Beyond Qualifications: Unlocking Potential and Advancing Inclusion, the event explored why many qualified persons with disabilities still struggle to find permanent jobs, advance in their careers and access leadership opportunities.

Speakers argued that employers need to move beyond simply meeting compliance targets and focus on developing careers for persons with disabilities.

Senzo Mbonambi, COO of Lead Change Developments, highlighted how educational challenges and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence could further impact employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Nomvula Makgotlho from the Department of Small Business Development raised concerns that uncertainty around social grants may discourage people with disabilities from pursuing entrepreneurship.

City of Johannesburg councillor Yongama Zigebe called on businesses to recognise talent and create meaningful opportunities.

“Stop seeing inclusion merely as compliance. Recognise talent, create careers and open supply chains,” he said.

Zigebe also stressed that disability inclusion is a shared responsibility.

“Government can construct a ramp, but society must also dismantle prejudice.”

The event concluded with a call for greater collaboration between government, business, educational institutions and communities to create a society where persons with disabilities can not only participate, but thrive.

©HigherEducationMedia

Source: Wits University, Department of Social Work

Over the past three months, I’ve lived with the Suzuki Dzire GL Manual as my latest long-term test vehicle, and it’s proven to be a car that quietly gets the job done. There are no thrills, no unnecessary frills —just honest, bare-bones motoring at its finest—as both Edwin Naidu, Director and Editor of EDNews.Africa, and I spent time with this humble city slicker.

Some things will always chip away at this sedan's character, most notably its looks. Previous generations of the Dzire weren’t exactly known for pulling at the heartstrings. The new model changes that. It’s more modern, although I have to tease that it’s giving “Uber Luxe” vibes. Our GL+ unit came in white with black alloy wheels, and it looks neat in the metal.

If you love the Swift, then you’ll love this. Think of it as a Swift sedan.

At R224,900, the Dzire enters the market as one of the most affordable new sedans available. Our test unit came fitted with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reverse camera, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, LED headlights and electric windows.

Again, to reiterate, it’s not a Maybach. It’s bare-bones motoring, and I quite liked its simple charm.

Suzuki has equipped the Dzire with six airbags as standard. It also achieved a five-star Global NCAP rating for adult occupant protection and a four-star rating for child occupant protection. Well done, Suzuki.

Under the bonnet sits a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 60kW. Those numbers won’t set anyone’s pulse racing.

That said, it has enough punch for daily driving and feels fairly comfortable. Of course, road noise is apparent, and it does err on the tinny side. It makes up for that with efficiency. I achieved between 5.0 and 6.1L/100km, figures that should make budget-conscious motorists smile.

With fuel prices continuing to fluctuate, economy remains one of the most important considerations for many South Africans, and the Dzire appears well-positioned to keep running costs low. The five-speed manual gearbox also adds a bit of engagement, which I thoroughly enjoy. It’s a simple formula, but one that works.

It’s easy to get distracted by vehicles costing R600,000, R800,000 or even more than R1 million. They’re exciting, aspirational and often packed with impressive technology. But most South Africans want value, and that’s where the Dzire comes in.

For less than R225,000, you’re getting a brand-new set of wheels. Yes, it’s not a head-turner, and you may even be mistaken for an Uber driver, as happened to me once. But the Dzire is an honest car. It knows exactly what it is, and it executes its brief exceptionally well. Sometimes simplicity never goes out of style, and this budget-beating Dzire has got the right stuff.

©HigherEducationMedia

A Grade 9 learner from Curro Mahikeng has earned international acclaim after being recognised in the United States for his research into how artificial intelligence (AI) could help improve lung cancer screening and early detection.

According to news reports, Brandon Mashandudze (14) was named an American Lung Cancer Scholar through the International Lung Cancer Innovation Challenge, an international competition that encourages middle and high school learners to develop innovative solutions related to lung cancer screening, medical technology and public health.

Organised by the American Lung Cancer screening initiative, the challenge brings together young aspiring researchers from around the world to explore new approaches to tackling one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Participants work alongside professional mentors to develop projects focused on lung cancer awareness, screening and early detection.

Mashandudze’s research examines how AI and digital health technologies could be used to enhance the detection and assessment of lung cancer, a disease that remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally.

His achievement also carries a prestigious academic connection, with the programme involving experts from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, exposing participants to leading voices in medicine and healthcare innovation.

The young scholar was reported as saying he chose to focus on lung cancer because of the critical role early detection plays in improving patient outcomes.

According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), lung cancer is among the five most common cancers affecting South Africans, developing in one out of every 123 men and one out of every 277 women.

The disease is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and one of the deadliest. Research by Discovery has found that lung cancer has the lowest five-year survival rate among common cancers, including breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. Only 13% of people diagnosed with the disease survive beyond five years.

Despite accounting for the highest number of cancer-related deaths globally, awareness of lung cancer remains relatively low in South Africa.

Cansa has urged South Africans to become more familiar with the symptoms of the disease, emphasising that early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. It added that when lung cancer is detected before it has spread, treatment outcomes are generally far more favourable.

For Mashandudze, the challenge offered an opportunity to explore how emerging technologies such as AI can help address this pressing health issue, while demonstrating how young innovators can contribute to solving real-world medical challenges.

“His achievement also comes with a Harvard connection, as the programme involves experts from Harvard medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital,” reports said.

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As one would imagine, the shift to electric cars is well underway. As a car enthusiast, it struck me that my future children will likely grow up embracing EVs They may never experience the roar of the monstrous Audi RSQ8, much to the neighbours' relief. And what about the joys of a Golf 8 GTI? It might be gone by then; an electric GTI doesn’t sound all that promising.

Thankfully, I still have time to enjoy the soundtrack of internal-combustion-powered cars. However, the future is undoubtedly electric, and Volkswagen first gave us a glimpse of that future in 2022 with the e-Golf 7 teaser.

The demonstration was meant to showcase Volkswagen’s electric ambitions, but its range of just under 200km set off a few alarm bells. Range anxiety is real, and when it comes to EVs, proper planning is essential, unless you’re prepared to push your pretty new car.

I’ve come close. Kidding.

On range, the ID.4 Pro promises up to 500km on a full charge. Power comes from a 77kWh battery pack producing a healthy 150kW and 310Nm of torque.

It’s quick, although not quite as rapid as the ludicrously fast Volvo EC40 Recharge Twin Motor. The ID.4 Pro completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds, while the Volvo manages the same task in just 4.9 seconds.

On the road, the Volkswagen feels smooth and accomplished. It never feels harsh, and its ride quality is both compliant and comfortable. The silence is indeed bliss.

The ID.4 also looks stunning in the metal and attracts just the right amount of attention. It’s larger than photographs suggest and feels purposefully built. Riding on 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in meaty rubber, it appears ready to tackle less-than-perfect road surfaces with ease.

You’ll also notice the robust body cladding and generous dimensions, giving it a presence reminiscent of the Tiguan Allspace.

The front fascia is striking, featuring Matrix LED headlights, a clean bumper design and an illuminated VW badge that adds a premium touch. Its sporty, wagon-like silhouette is another plus, helping create an airy, spacious cabin. The boot offers a generous 543 litres of luggage capacity, expanding to 1,573 litres with the rear seats folded.

Although local specifications are still unconfirmed, our test unit in ID.4 Pro trim featured a comprehensive list of premium equipment. Highlights included adaptive cruise control and digital controls for the ambient lighting and climate system. It also includes a rear-view camera, though it lacks a head-up display.

There’s certainly enough room for all the spices one could bring back while gliding silently home from Durban.

I wish I had more time to experience the ID.4 on a longer road trip. Still, I managed a few leisurely outings, including a run from Buccleuch to Harrie’s Pancakes in Pretoria. It’s the sort of relaxed, refined EV the tannies would undoubtedly approve of.

While enjoying a delicious pancake, I found myself reflecting on the ID.4’s efficiency. During my time with the vehicle, it returned an average energy consumption of around 13kWh/100km, which is not too shabby.

In terms of rivals, the ID.4 Pro goes up against the BMW iX3, Audi e-tron and Volvo EC40 Recharge.

Volkswagen South Africa has yet to confirm local pricing and final specifications. The ID.4 Pro was expected to launch this year, but I suppose 2027 might be the year; for now, I’m simply glad I had the opportunity to sample it.

Prices in Germany start at around €40,000, which translates to approximately R800,000. The call towards electrification is slowly growing louder, and I think I’m warming to it. Although when it comes to EVs, one thing remains true: you have to pay to play.

©HigherEducationMedia

By Innocent Moyo, Campus Head at Rosebank International

As Matric students sit down to write their final exams, public attention understandably fixes on the Class of 2026. Far less noticed is the parallel reality facing Grade 11s.

Their own exams are imminent, and the marks they achieve now carry weight that extends well past this year, laying the foundation for next year, as well as university opportunities.

“Grade 11 final marks play a decisive role in the university and college application process across South Africa. Many institutions, both public and private, issue provisional offers of admission based primarily on a learner’s Grade 11 results, allowing students to secure (pending final results) a place well before they write their Matric exams,” says Innocent Moyo at Rosebank International.

“Students in Grade 11 should therefore take these exams just as seriously as they intend to approach their Matric final exams, understanding that these results will have a significant effect on their trajectory.”

A strong performance this year functions as both an academic signal and a practical safety net: it opens doors sooner, creates a backup option if Matric results fall short of expectations, and gives students a clearer sense of where they stand relative to their preferred programmes.

“In a system where application deadlines often fall in the middle of the Matric year, the marks earned now can meaningfully shape the options available next year. At the same time, the content covered this year forms the direct foundation for next year’s work. Students who master it now enter Matric with less catch-up pressure and more mental bandwidth for the higher demands ahead,” says Moyo.

In short, treating Grade 11 as just another year narrows options and intensifies the load later. Treating it as the foundation of the Matric journey expands both academic and logistical choices.

How to build a stronger Grade 11 to Matric bridge through practical steps that compound:

PRIORITISE DEPTH OVER LAST-MINUTE INTENSITY

The remaining weeks are better spent consolidating core concepts in high-stakes subjects than attempting frantic coverage of everything. Identify the topics that repeatedly appear in past papers and the areas where marks are most easily lost, then allocate study time accordingly.

Consistent, focused sessions now produce more reliable results than irregular bursts of effort closer to the exam dates, and consolidate core information ahead of Matric.

AFTER THE EXAMS, CLOSE THE GAP

Once the Grade 11 finals are over, the December holidays become the most valuable window of the year.

“It is tempting to switch off completely after the intensity of exams, yet a full mental shutdown carries a hidden cost,” says Moyo.

“The content and skills that still feel shaky will not improve on their own - they simply wait to reappear as heavier burdens in Grade 12. By investing even a modest, structured portion of the holiday, students can close specific knowledge gaps while the material is still fresh.

“This targeted effort removes obstacles that would otherwise consume disproportionate time and energy in Matric, turning what feels like extra work now into a lighter load later.”

The same period also offers rare mental space to map post-school options, Moyo says.

It gives you the opportunity to research preferred programmes at leisure, compare university offerings and campuses, note application deadlines, and check how current subject combinations align with entry requirements.

“Students who enter Grade 12 already clear on their direction can focus effort more precisely and avoid rushed decisions under pressure.”

GET YOUR GAMEPLAN ON

“Grade 11 results function as both a diagnostic and a passport,” says Moyo.

“Its value does not only lie in its role of academically preparing you for Matric. It also shows you how you show up when the pressure arrives. So use the coming exams and the final stretch of Grade 11 to identify your personal warning signs: when you are tired, overwhelmed, avoiding difficult work, or trying to do too much at once. Then decide, in advance, what you will do if those signs appear when the chips are down next year.”

The key is to build a simple routine that protects focus and energy: regular sleep, movement, time away from screens, and a realistic weekly plan that includes rest rather than treating rest as a reward.

“Matric rewards consistency, not constant intensity, and students from the Class of 2027 who know how to reset after a difficult day, and who have built a mental framework and logistical systems ahead of time, will be far better placed to sustain effort across the tough year ahead.”

©Higher Education Media Services.

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By Maureen Phiri, Director at Oxyon People Solutions

Employers in South Africa’s metal and engineering sector must comply with both Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) grading requirements and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation. The challenge is that these requirements do not always align with the actual work employees are expected to perform on a day-to-day basis.

MEIBC grading is based on defined tasks and operations, but in reality, employees may also be responsible for safety inspections, hazard identification and other duties that extend beyond their primary functions.

This creates a challenge for employers, particularly where experienced workers have skills and responsibilities that are not fully reflected in their grading or formal qualifications.

Lack of alignment

A common challenge arises when an artisan has years of experience working on specific equipment, a strong safety record and a thorough understanding of the associated risks yet lacks a formal qualification.

There are roles where specific qualifications are required, so experience cannot simply replace these, but practical experience cannot be discounted either. This leaves employers balancing two priorities: recognising existing experience while ensuring employees meet the formal requirements of the role.

The impact on skilled workers

This mismatch can have a direct impact on experienced artisans. When someone has spent years developing their skills and is trusted with safety-related responsibilities, being graded and remunerated as semi-skilled can leave them feeling that their experience and contribution are not being fully recognised.

This can also make it more difficult for employers to retain experienced artisans. Workers with established technical skills may have opportunities in mining, self-employment or outside South Africa, and replacing that experience is not always straightforward.

There is also a longer-term skills concern. If experienced artisans see limited opportunities for recognition and progression, it becomes more difficult to encourage younger people to enter and remain in technical trades.

Getting compliance and grading right

Employers need to assess the work an employee is actually performing, the responsibilities they carry, and the qualifications required for that role. This allows them to identify where grading or skills gaps exist and address them appropriately, rather than making decisions based on job titles alone.

Where there is a gap between an employee’s experience and the formal requirements of a role, additional training or recognition of prior learning can help experienced artisans formalise skills acquired over many years.

A Temporary Employment Service (TES) provider with experience in the metal and engineering sector can help employers manage these requirements, from verifying qualifications and experience to ensuring workers are placed and graded correctly. Maintaining accurate employment and compliance records is also important, particularly where employees perform different duties or carry additional responsibilities.

Finding a workable balance

Employers cannot compromise on MEIBC compliance or workplace safety, but they also cannot afford to overlook the practical experience of their workforce. Where employees have the skills to perform a role but lack the required qualifications, employers need to address that gap without disregarding the experience they have already gained.

The metal and engineering sector depends on experienced artisans, and retaining these skills is important for both safety and productivity. Ensuring that employees are appropriately graded, trained and recognised for the work they do will help employers meet their obligations without unnecessarily losing valuable technical expertise.

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Azerbaijan’s ASAN Service and DOST Centres have emerged as two of the country’s most distinctive public sector innovations, transforming the delivery of government and social services through technology, transparency and citizen-focused governance.

Together, they have helped redefine the relationship between citizens and the state by simplifying access to services, reducing bureaucracy and strengthening accountability.

Established in 2012 at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, ASAN Service was introduced as part of wider institutional reforms aimed at modernising public administration. Built on a one-stop-shop concept, ASAN enables citizens to access a broad range of government services in a single location, eliminating the need to visit multiple offices and navigate complex procedures.

Today, ASAN centres provide more than 400 services delivered by 15 public institutions and 30 private organisations. The network has expanded to 28 centres across Azerbaijan, processing more than 91 million applications since its inception. Citizen satisfaction stands at 99.8%, reflecting the system’s emphasis on efficiency, accessibility and service quality.

At the heart of ASAN’s success is its role in Azerbaijan’s anti-corruption strategy. The model significantly reduces opportunities for bribery and informal payments by limiting direct contact between citizens and officials.

All service fees are paid electronically through online systems or automated terminals, eliminating cash transactions between the public and government employees.

Transparency is embedded throughout the system. Service processes are digitally tracked, queue-management technologies monitor service delivery, and centre designs incorporate glass-walled layouts that allow for public visibility.

These measures are complemented by innovative technological platforms developed to manage and improve operations, including electronic document management, business intelligence reporting, human resources systems, monitoring and evaluation tools, the ASAN Payment System and the ASAN Appeal System.

Recognising that some citizens live far from permanent service centres, the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations (SAPSSI) introduced mobile ASAN Service units. Operating through ten specially equipped buses, these mobile centres travel to remote regions according to predetermined schedules, bringing essential government services directly to underserved communities.

Beyond direct service delivery, SAPSSI has expanded its public engagement efforts through ASAN Radio and ASAN TV. These dedicated media platforms promote transparency, raise awareness of public services and encourage greater civic participation.

Over time, ASAN Service has developed into what Azerbaijani officials describe as a national intellectual product. Its reputation has grown internationally, attracting interest from governments seeking more effective ways to deliver public services. SAPSSI has signed more than 30 memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements with countries and international organisations interested in learning from or adapting the model.

Partnerships have been established with institutions in countries including Romania, Türkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Montenegro, Morocco, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea and Guinea-Bissau. Several countries, including Uganda, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Ethiopia, have already adopted elements of the ASAN model to improve public service delivery.

The Kingdom of Eswatini has also expressed interest in receiving technical assistance and expertise for establishing ASAN Service and DOST Centres. Such cooperation highlights growing international recognition of digital governance solutions that improve efficiency and accessibility in the public sector.

In this connection it is fitting to point out that lack of technology means that most African countries and economies cannot advance. That’s why Africa needs more than just aid, the economies of many African countries have remained stagnant because of lack of skilled labor and relevant technology meant to fast track development. Azerbaijan has engaged in some of the most advanced projects aimed at bridging the digital gap and improving public service efficiency in Africa. Through Azerbaijan’s ASAN xidmat, Azerbaijani for “easy service”, the country has been assisting African countries in streamlining services in the public sector.

ASAN xidmat is a pioneering public service, an initiation of Azerbaijan, committed to good governance, citizen centric easy access in public services. It is also meant to improve governance and improve efficiency in the public sector.

ASAN Service has received significant international acclaim. It won the United Nations Public Service Award in 2015 and the UN Special Award for Promoting Innovation in Public Services in 2019. At the 10th World Government Summit in Dubai, it was also recognised as the “Best Government Service in the World”.

Its influence extends beyond awards. The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted resolutions in 2018 and 2023 titled “Promoting Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals Through Transparent, Accountable, and Efficient Public Services Delivery”. These resolutions underscored the importance of models such as ASAN Service in advancing transparency, accountability and sustainable development.

To maintain standards across government services, Azerbaijan introduced mechanisms such as the Electronic Register of Public Services and the ASAN Service Index. These tools assess service quality, accessibility and transparency based on factors including legality, timeliness, citizen satisfaction and digitalisation. The result is a continuous system of monitoring and feedback aimed at preventing bureaucratic abuse and promoting better performance.

One of the most prominent extensions of the ASAN model is ASAN Visa, launched under a presidential decree in 2016. The platform enables foreign citizens to obtain Azerbaijani visas through a fully digital process without intermediaries or face-to-face interaction with officials.

From application and payment to approval, every step is conducted electronically. This approach ensures transparency, equal treatment and the elimination of discretionary decision-making. By September 2025, more than four million applications had been processed through the system, reinforcing its reputation as a model of efficient digital governance.

The ASAN Appeal System further strengthens accountability by giving citizens and businesses an accessible channel for submitting complaints, appeals and feedback. Appeals are automatically registered, tracked and reviewed within fixed timeframes, helping ensure fairness, consistency and transparency.

The success of ASAN Service laid the groundwork for another major reform initiative: the DOST Agency. Established in 2018, DOST was designed to apply the same principles of transparency and efficiency to social protection services.

Historically, the administration of pensions, disability benefits and employment services was vulnerable to inefficiencies and institutional fraud. DOST was created to address these challenges through a single-window approach to social service delivery.

The Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social Provision, known as DOST, provides services through dedicated DOST Centres operating under a framework determined by the President of Azerbaijan. The system standardises more than 160 social protection and labour-related services, reducing paperwork and limiting opportunities for abuse.

DOST is responsible for managing, monitoring and evaluating the activities of its centres and coordinating services linked to employment, labour and social protection under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population. The agency also works with government institutions, local authorities, trade unions, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and private individuals.

The agency’s mandate extends beyond service delivery. It conducts surveys among people requiring social protection, studies their concerns, develops proposals aimed at protecting their rights and participates in drafting legislation relevant to its field. It also reviews appeals submitted under laws governing citizens’ appeals, administrative proceedings and access to information.

The overarching objective is to ensure that services are delivered according to principles of efficiency, transparency, responsibility, courtesy, convenience and citizen satisfaction.

Together, ASAN Service and DOST Centres represent a comprehensive effort to modernise governance in Azerbaijan. By combining technology, transparency and citizen-centred design, the two initiatives have streamlined public administration, strengthened accountability and expanded access to essential services.

In doing so, they have become national brands and internationally recognised examples of how public service reform can transform the relationship between citizens and the state.

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By Basetsana Koboyankwe, Radio Personality - Atlega Show, Westside FM 98.9

What if we stopped seeing art as an alternative to learning and begin recognising it as one of the ways people learn, grow and shape the world around them?

I attended the relaunch of Funda Community College in Diepkloof, Soweto. I left reflecting on more than the institution’s history. I found myself thinking about the value of creative education and an important question came in mind: Who gets to participate, and whose talents are given room to grow?

The transition from Funda Centre to Funda Community College invites us to reflect on the institution’s purpose and the community it seeks to serve.

In his keynote address - The Return of the Imagination - Rector Dr Tshepo Mvulane Moloi reflected on Funda’s history and the influence of Eksia Mphahlele’s vision for creative education.

Funda Centre’s brief history

“The historic institution relaunched on Saturday, 10 October 2026 at College Hall, 8642 Immink Drive, Diepkloof Zone 6, Soweto. It brought together community members, activists, veterans, and various stakeholders determined to revive its legacy.

For many, the occasion represented more than just a relaunch. It was a moment of remembering reconnecting and reclaiming a proud chapter of Soweto’s educational and creative history.

Born of Our Struggle, Built on Hope

Established in 1984, Funda Community College emerged in the aftermath of the June 17, 1976, Soweto student uprising, when the education crisis left many young people disconnected from formal schooling.

The institution was the brainchild of the late Professor Es’kia Mphahlele, the celebrated South African writer, educator, and scholar, who served as its first board chairperson.

His vision was to promote decolonized education and create opportunities for Black communities to learn, develop their talents, and shape their own futures. Funda was part of a wider effort to ensure that education and creative expression remained accessible to young people whose potential was often neglected”.

Now, decades later, the relaunch has reignited hopes that the institution can once again become a home for emerging artists, performers, and other township creatives.

One thing that stayed with me after the relaunch, was the idea of art as another way of learning.

In our society, we often give academic qualifications greater recognition, while music, theatre, dance, visual art and storytelling are treated as secondary pursuits.

Yet art teaches. It preserves our history, gives people a voice, develops skills and creates opportunities for expression and growth.

Art is not the absence of education. It is a meaningful way of learning, expressing and becoming.

Funda’s story reminds us that creative education deserves to be taken seriously. Its future also raises important questions: Will aspiring artists and young creatives have opportunities to develop their talents? How can local people and organisations participate in shaping the college’s next chapter?

Reopening an institution is only the beginning. The real work lies in building sustainable programmes and ensuring that the community can access and benefit from the opportunities created.

I left the event asking myself:

What would our society look like if we invested in creative talent with the same seriousness with which we invest in academic achievement?

May Funda’s next chapter create room for the community not only to witness its story, but to become part of it.

I’m sharing this reflection as part of my commitment to documenting the events I attend, the ideas that challenge me, and the stories that deserve to travel beyond the rooms in which they are told.

Because some experiences do more than inform us. They invite us to think differently.

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There are moments when a woman stands in a red doctoral gown and the years collapse behind her like a long, heavy breath finally released. That was Dr Phaphama Tshisikhawe on 14 October 2026 - mortarboard straight, eyes bright, voice steady - telling the story of a doctorate earned through lonely nights of research and quiet sacrifice. A degree that, against every odd, almost never happened.

She grew up in a house where eight children shared dreams bigger than the walls around them. In Chiawelo, Soweto, with deep Venda roots, money was scarce but belief was not. Her parents, who had so little, still managed to give their children the one thing they valued most: the quiet, fierce instruction to stay in school, to finish, to rise. Education, she would later say, did not just open doors - it fed her siblings, lifted her family, and rewrote the limits of what was possible.

Her formal academic journey began in 2006 when she left a secure post at The Creative Counsel, one of South Africa’s leading branding and advertising agencies, to study journalism. At TUT’s Soshanguve Campus the money ran out. She slept in restrooms and auditoriums, enduring cold winter nights with nothing but determination to keep her going. That experience has since become a powerful story she shares with students and learners across the country, urging them never to abandon their dreams.

Through sheer perseverance she completed her journalism diploma in 2008, earned a BTech in 2009, an Honours in Media Studies, a Master’s in Organisational Leadership, and finally a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Tshwane School of Business and Society.

In 2008, a young journalism intern walked through the gates of Tshwane University of Technology. She stayed. Year after year she climbed - from intern to trusted communicator, from staff member to the official voice of Africa’s largest contact university of technology.

Over the years, Dr Tshisikhawe has held positions as journalist, Alumni Communication Specialist, Brand & Communication Specialist, and Spokesperson of the University. Externally, she interned at the SABC and worked at Power FM. In this way, she became the face that spoke for thousands of students, the steady presence at every major announcement and crisis communication, the woman who led the TUT media team, who introduced dignitaries and carried institutional pride with quiet grace. The responsibility was enormous. “You’re the face and the voice,” she admitted. “I can’t mess that up.”

Her media relations work operates at a strategic level. As Spokesperson and Head of Public and Media Relations, she leads the university’s brand and reputation management, safeguards institutional positioning across national and international platforms, and oversees the university’s radio stations, TUT FM and Tshwane FM, as well as its digital platforms.

She provides strategic direction on communication best practices and has represented Tshwane University of Technology on continental platforms, including most recently at the African Association of Universities Media Seminar for higher education institutions.

Through these engagements she has advanced the institution’s profile across Africa and strengthened partnerships through strategic communication. Whether managing high-stakes institutional messaging, guiding reputation strategy, directing the media operations of the university’s broadcast and digital platforms, or setting standards for professional communication practice, she has consistently carried the responsibility of speaking for Africa’s largest contact university of technology with professionalism and authority.

Yet while the university leaned on her, she was quietly carrying something else: a doctoral dream.

By day she was the university’s Spokesperson and Head of Public and Media Relations. By night and on weekends she returned to her books, driven by the demands of rigorous research. The sacrifice was real and often lonely. While friends went out and life continued around her, she chose the quieter path. “When you knock off from work you hit the books,” she said. “It’s not that you can’t do those things. You choose not to.” Time became a scarce currency she spent carefully and deliberately. There were moments of deep exhaustion, when the weight of the dual responsibility threatened to overwhelm her. Yet she never broke.

Her thesis is titled A Framework for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence into Digital Marketing at Selected Universities of Technology in Gauteng. In addition, two articles from the research have been submitted to DHET-accredited journals.

She treated both her career and her studies as projects that had to be finished. And she finished.

This October the red gown finally settled on her shoulders. Reflecting on the moment, Dr Tshisikhawe said: “This doctorate is not just a personal milestone. It is the fulfilment of a promise I made to myself and to my parents - that education would open doors no circumstance could close. Every late night, every sacrifice, every cold night on a toilet floor led here. I am deeply grateful.”

The research she completed now carries her name and her title: Dr Phaphama Tshisikhawe. The girl from a crowded home in Chiawelo, Soweto. The intern who stayed. The woman who spoke for a university while writing herself into its academic history.

She still stands at the same podium, still represents the same institution, still greets the same students and staff. But something has changed. The voice that once carried only the university’s story now carries her own as well - a story of a daughter who kept her promise to her parents, a professional who refused to choose between duty and growth, and a woman who proved that even the heaviest load can be borne if the heart refuses to set it down.

In the soft light of graduation day and with the weight of years finally lifted, Dr Tshisikhawe did not simply collect a degree. Instead, she claimed the right to be called Doctor - earned in the quiet hours, paid for in sacrifice, and worn now with the quiet radiance of someone who never stopped believing she would get there.

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Around one million South African children aged three to five still miss out on early learning, leaving many, particularly from poorer communities, at a developmental disadvantage before they even enter primary school.

President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged that the country “is starting late in building an early childhood development system,” in his keynote address to the Bana Pele Leadership Summit on Monday. “Yet starting late is better than never starting at all. But it should not mean starting slowly.”

The two-day Summit brought together over 150 leaders from government, business, civil society and community organisations to address a shared challenge: how to close the development gap and ensure every child has access to quality early learning by 2030. This includes all types of preschools, including home-based and mobile programmes designed to reach vulnerable children.

The President told attendees: “We must ensure that every child in South Africa, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances of their family, has the opportunity to develop their full potential.”

At the heart of that effort is the Bana Pele Shared Blueprint, the national roadmap guiding coordinated action across the early learning system. The Summit focused on what has changed since the inaugural gathering in 2025, where progress is still falling short and what government and its partners must do differently to reach children at scale.

There are already signs of progress. The daily Early Childhood Development (ECD) subsidy has increased from R17 to R24 per child, while the subsidy budget has more than doubled from R3.43 billion in 2024/25 to R6.49 billion in the current financial year.

The number of children receiving the subsidy has risen from just over 748,000 to 954,700, meaning more than 200,000 additional children are receiving support compared with two years ago.

The R496 million ECCE Outcomes Fund is creating 115,000 additional early learning spaces for children in South Africa’s most rural provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

“A bigger budget is progress. A child actually reached is impact,” said Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. Referring to the roughly one million children still missing out, she added: “One million children not accessing any ECD programme is not a statistic we can become comfortable with. It is the distance we still need to cover.”

The challenge now is not simply to expand individual programmes, but to build a system that can reach children across the country.

South Africa has shown before that major national challenges can be tackled when government, business and other social partners align around a common purpose. The response to COVID and load-shedding showed what coordinated action can achieve when institutions move beyond their traditional boundaries and work together. The Bana Pele movement is looking to bring that same spirit of collective action to early learning.

Government has a central role to play in creating the right policies, funding and systems. But reaching every child will also depend on business, civil society, ECD practitioners and local communities bringing their own resources, expertise and influence.

“I think what’s really exciting about what we’re seeing in ECD is it’s the same circumstances that we’ve seen in successful partnerships in the past,” said Adrian Enthoven, Non-Executive Board Member, Business Leadership South Africa. “The private sector has got particular skills, capacity, capabilities, resources that it can bring, but so does civil society.”

Faith-based organisations and other social partners bring something equally important: trust, local knowledge and deep roots in the communities where they operate. They can help connect people to services, mobilise local support and ensure that solutions are shaped around the realities of each community.

“The faith community is at the centre of any community that you find in our country. It could be a village, it could be a township, it could be a suburb. There is a church, there is a mosque, there is a temple,” said Reverend Mzwandile Molo, General Secretary, South African Council of Churches. “Faith communities are not there to contest for popularity, they are there to serve the people.”

Minister Gwarube added in her address that a Blueprint only matters if it changes what happens beyond the page it’s typed on. The Summit concluded with delegates signing the Bana Pele Charter, setting out how different sectors of society will work together to accelerate progress towards universal access to quality early learning by 2030.

The Charter builds on the Shared Blueprint by turning its shared vision into practical commitments: to collaborate more effectively, design for scale, embrace diversity and strengthen the ability of those closest to children to solve problems in their own contexts.

To ensure those commitments translate into action, the Bana Pele Secretariat will develop and maintain a public dashboard to track progress and report to all signatories every quarter.

For more information and to follow the Bana Pele movement, visit: banapele.org

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The story of rowing in South Africa has always been the plucky underdog punching above its weight, Rocky Balboa–style. What’s changed over the past decade is what’s underneath that fight.

“Even if you’re not winning on the water, rowing is going to give you so much more than sport. It’s going to give you everything that comes with rowing. And the legacy that we want to leave behind is that it’s sustainable.

“The sport is in a good place for many years to come and that South Africa is shining on the world’s greatest stage,” says Michael Edwards, RMB’s Sponsorship Marketing Lead says in RMB’s new short film ‘A Decade on the Water’.

South Africa has never lacked rowing talent or appetite. The sport produced an Olympic gold medal-winning lightweight men’s four in 2012, long before RMB’s involvement. What it lacked was the consistent funding to turn that talent into a sustainable career path.

That changed in 2015, when RMB began backing school and development rowing, formalising a full partnership with Rowing South Africa the following year and becoming title sponsor of the national squad in 2017 - a commitment it has now kept for ten consecutive years, through two Olympic cycles, a global pandemic, and a changing cast of athletes and coaches.

The results are traceable, not just claimed. 2017 brought South Africa’s first world champion of the era, Kirsten McCann, in the lightweight women’s single. Tokyo 2021 delivered an Olympic-qualifying regatta win and a World Cup silver for the men’s four.

Paris 2024 saw the squad represented across multiple boat classes, and by 2025 and 2026, Paige Badenhorst and the men’s pair of Chris Baxter and Damien Bonhage-Koen were finishing inside the world’s top ten - the kind of consistency South African rowing couldn’t produce on short-term funding alone.

“Key for me is the stability and consistency that RMB’s support brings,” says Carolyn Thompson, RowSA vice-president. “It gives the national squad coach the ability to better plan for events and allows a different level of professionalism around the sport in the form of physios, biokineticists and physiologists. Most of all, it enables the athletes to focus on improving their skillset and form without having to worry about funding their athletic journeys.”

Roger Barrow, former South African national rowing coach, played a key role in developing the systems and support needed to help South African rowers compete consistently at the highest level.

“When I took over as Head Coach in 2009, we had a strong foundation of talent and determination. RMB’s support from 2015 helped strengthen that foundation, bringing stability and enabling athletes to train full-time, plan for Olympic cycles and access the coaching and support they needed to succeed on the world stage.”

For Ben Burnand, president of Rowing South Africa, one of the most important aspects of RMB’s investment is the inspiration and opportunity it creates for the next generation of rowers. “To rub shoulders with someone who has just come back from the Olympics is something else, something special,” he says in RMB’s new short film, A Decade on the Water.

That stability has reached further than the national squad. Rowing is now represented in all nine provinces - growth RowSA development coordinator Virginia Mabaso credits largely to the introduction of indoor rowing as a tool for mass participation. Chris Baxter, South Africa’s former U/23 world champion and a Paris Olympian, and Thato Mokoena, head coach of Tuks Rowing and assistant coach to the national squad, are both products of that same pathway - proof that the investment produces not just athletes, but careers.

It’s a pathway the current generation is living in real time. Katherine Williams and Courtney Westley, both students, went from the RMB National Squad at the World Rowing Championships to competing for Tuks at the RMB Universities’ Boat Race within weeks of each other this year.

“South African rowing has definitely progressed in a way that requires a high standard of performances, from the heats to the finals,” says Westley. For Williams, the sport’s appeal is in exactly that range: “You can be in a single scull by yourself or in a crew boat with others, and switching between those dynamics at a competitive level will teach you so much as an athlete and that’s why the university boat race is such an incredible regatta, as every individual has to come together in order to make the boat move.”

RMB National Squad head coach Andrew Grant, who stepped into the role in 2026, still describes the sport the way an athlete would: “Rowing is a bit like a bug. When I was 13 or 14, I got bitten so badly by that bug … there’s something special about a boat going fast, moving through water.”

Olympic gold medallist and University of Johannesburg rowing coach Sizwe Ndlovu an accredited World Rowing Development Expert, says RMB’s long-term support has played an important role in making these pathways possible.

“Its support of rowing over the years has helped create opportunities at school, university and national level. Importantly, RMB understands that rowing is not only about winning races; it develops teamwork, discipline, leadership and resilience.”

For Michael Edwards, RMB’s Sponsorship Marketing Lead, the next decade is the real test of what’s been built. “If the past is anything to go by, the future definitely holds medals - international medals on the sport’s greatest stages, like the World Championships and the Olympic Games. But, of equal importance, medals for young men and women pushing their own limits and growing their character, at all levels of the sport.”

TIMELINE: A decade of SA rowing milestones

2015: RMB starts backing South African school and development rowing.

2016: RMB formally launches its partnership with Rowing South Africa.

2017: RMB becomes the naming sponsor of the national rowing squad.

2017: Kirsten McCann becomes world champion in the lightweight women’s single. South Africa also scoops two silver and two bronze medals at age group level, with Kyle Schoonbee (U23 single), Megan Hancock (U19 single), Nicole van Wyk (U23 lightweight single) and Thabelo Masutha (U19 men’s single).

2018: Charles Brittain and James Mitchell continue SA’s strong history in the men’s pair event, taking gold at U23 World Championships, followed by impressive performances in the World Cups from both the men’s four and women’s lightweight double teams.

2019: Strong junior and U23 performances, with silver medals from the U23 women’s pair (Jessica Schoonbee and Tayla-May Bentley) and junior men’s coxed four (Bakang Zondi, Brandon Janse van Vuuren, Daton Wolfaardt, Nathan Fletcher and Sebastian Prince).

2020: Olympics and most World Championships being postponed or cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

2021: Tokyo Olympics. SA’s men’s four (John Smith, Kyle Schoonbee, Lawrence Brittain and Sandro Torrente) win the Olympic qualification regatta and follow up with a silver at the World Cup. In the age group events, Kat Williams wins a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships.

2022: Roger Barrow retires and Tiago Loureiro takes over running the national team. Damien Bonhage-Koen and Chris Baxter win the U23 men’s pair at the World Rowing Championships, while Kirsten McCann makes a comeback and picks up a World Cup bronze.

2023: Good World Cup performances, with a silver in the men’s four and bronze in the women’s double. At the World Champs, South Africa qualifies for the men’s pair for the Olympics and at the Africa Champs, the women’s single qualifies for the Olympics.

2023: With RMB’s support, South Africa hosts a successful World Rowing Masters Regatta.

2024: Paris Olympics. Paige Badenhorst picks up a 14^th place in the women’s single and John Smith and Chris Baxter achieve 9^th place in the men’s pair. In the junior section, Danelia Price-Hughes wins a silver medal.

2025: John Smith retires after competing in four Olympic Games. At the World Champs, Chloe Cresswell wins a silver medal in the U23 lightweight women’s single. The men’s pair team, now Chris Baxter and Damien Bonhage-Koen, enjoy a strong World Cup season with a 7^th and 10^th place finish, ultimately finishing 10^th at the World Champs. Paige Badenhorst has an incredible World Champs, breaking into the top 10 in the world with an 8^th place finish. Coastal rowing is confirmed as an Olympic sport at LA 2028 and Murray Bales-Smith places 8^th in the world at his first ever World Championships.

2026: AJ Grant steps into the role of national head coach. Paige Badenhorst continues with her strong performances in a tough women’s single event, finishing 10^th at the World Championships. Murray Bales-Smith has had some strong performances and is looking good for the LA 2028 top 10; he is heading to China to race in October.

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