To provide focused academic support ahead of the mid-year exams, the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Matric Helpline Program recently introduced seminars for Grade 12 students in the uMshwathi Municipality to prepare for mathematics and physical sciences

The seminars, held at Cool Air Secondary School in Durban, brought together students from several circuits to foster a collaborative environment that strengthened their understanding of key STEM concepts while preparing them for the demanding National Senior Certificate exams. To reach hundreds of students in a single day, UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus held parallel workshops for nearby schools.

The workshops addressed frequent misconceptions in mathematics and the physical sciences, exam approaches, problem-solving strategies, and topic revision. Under the guidance of knowledgeable UKZN instructors, students actively engaged with difficult course material and acquired useful strategies for confidently responding to test questions.

This project shows the Matric Helpline Programme’s continued dedication to improving learner outcomes in gateway STEM subjects—essential for entry to postsecondary education and future job opportunities.

Ms Lexia Naidoo, an executive at the Science and Technology Education Centre (STEC), emphasised the need to conduct seminars concurrently in various locations:

“No matter where they attend school, we want to make sure that students have access to high-quality academic help. We can reach more students and improve our relationships with the Department of Education and schools by holding workshops in various locations. Beyond test preparation, we want to encourage students to pursue STEM degrees and consider UKZN as a place to continue their education.

The relationship between academic success and long-term success was reinforced by introducing students to STEM-related job pathways and further education options in addition to subject-specific help.

The workshops highlight UKZN’s overarching goal of community involvement and educational growth throughout KwaZulu-Natal. The University continues to develop opportunities that foster learner success and contribute to the province’s future STEM workforce through solid collaborations with schools, educators, and stakeholders.

©Higher Education Media Services.

When scientists investigate how climate change is reshaping ecosystems, temperature and rainfall usually dominate the conversation. But on a remote island in the Southern Ocean, University of Pretoria (UP) researchers are combining ecology and engineering to investigate an often-overlooked element of climate change – wind. Their research suggests that changes in everyday wind conditions could have important consequences for plants, ecosystems and even the survival of seabirds.

Marion Island lies in the latitudes known as the “Roaring Forties” and is one of the windiest environments in the world. Here, gale-force winds are part of everyday life, which makes the roughly 290km² sub-Antarctic island an extraordinary natural laboratory for understanding what persistent wind does to an ecosystem, from where plants grow to how birds fly.

“Temperature and rainfall are fundamental to understanding climate change, but they are not the whole climate system,” says Professor Peter le Roux of UP’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “Our work on Marion Island is showing that wind can influence ecological patterns at a remarkably fine scale. If wind regimes change as the climate changes, we need to understand what that could mean for the organisms already living at the limits of what they can tolerate.”

The research brings together scientists from UP’s departments of Plant and Soil Sciences and Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, combining ecological fieldwork with sophisticated engineering modelling.

Researchers began by installing wind-logging stations across Marion Island, with equipment and field teams having to endure freezing temperatures and gale-force winds. Mechanical and aeronautical engineering master’s student Kyle Goddard then used computational fluid dynamics to simulate wind flowing across the entire island. The model simulated wind from 16 different directions and generated information from just 0.2m above the surface to 800m high. Importantly for ecologists, it produced estimates of wind speed and direction at a horizontal resolution of about 30m.

“Engineering allows us to make the invisible visible,” says Prof Ken Craig of the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. “We cannot put a weather station on every few metres of an island; computational fluid dynamics allows us to investigate how the terrain shapes wind across that landscape. What makes this project particularly powerful is that those engineering insights can then be connected to biological observations on the ground.”

That connection has revealed striking ecological effects.

Research by Dr Mia Momberg showed that wind strongly affects fine-scale vegetation patterns on Marion Island, with wind speed having a greater influence than temperature in some cases. Wind variation was also associated with the distribution of plant communities and with where wandering albatrosses, the world’s largest seabirds, choose to nest.

For Dr Janine Schoombie of the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, the focus was another of Marion Island’s remarkable inhabitants: the grey-headed albatross. She investigated how winds around a breeding site affect the birds’ ability to fly and how local wind conditions may contribute to the mortality of breeding adults.

“By modelling the airflow around breeding areas, we can start asking much more precise questions about where flying becomes energetically demanding or potentially dangerous,” Dr Schoombie says. “That gives us a different way of thinking about how environmental change could affect these birds.”

The same wind dataset is helping UP researchers answer questions about plants that might otherwise seem counterintuitive.

Master’s student Nompilo Mazibuko combined the wind simulations with a mechanistic dispersal model and information about seed characteristics to investigate how alien and indigenous plants spread across Marion Island.

Despite the island’s famously strong winds, the research showed that the low-growing nature of its sub-Antarctic vegetation generally restricts windblown seeds to relatively short dispersal distances. In other words, living in an exceptionally windy environment does not necessarily mean seeds travel exceptionally far.

Research by master’s student Sinethemba Msibi is examining whether Marion Island’s strongly directional winds influence the growth and mortality of one of its most widespread plants. Preliminary findings suggest that wind patterns can drive uneven growth and die-back, and may even alter how the species interacts with neighbouring plants.

Honours student Nicola Marneweck approached the question at an even smaller scale by comparing vegetation growing on the exposed and sheltered sides of natural windbreaks such as large boulders. Plants in more exposed locations were significantly shorter, although many other plant characteristics showed surprisingly limited responses to increased wind exposure.

Together, the studies demonstrate why simply knowing the average wind speed recorded at a weather station may not be enough to understand what an organism experiences. A ridge, slope, cliff or boulder can radically alter airflow over a relatively short distance. Those local differences can matter to a nesting bird, low-growing plant or wind-carried seed.

The researchers are continuing to build a long-term record of wind conditions across Marion Island and around important geographical features. These measurements allow scientists to examine how climate change-driven shifts in wind patterns are altering this relatively undisturbed ecosystem over time.

“Climate change projections ultimately need to tell us something about the conditions organisms actually experience,” Prof Le Roux says. “This work shows what becomes possible when ecologists and engineers approach the same environmental problem from different directions. Neither discipline could have produced this picture on its own.”

The team has also made its wind observations and island-scale simulations available to other researchers, allowing them to test new questions using the data and helping to inform planning and logistics on the Prince Edward Islands.

Prof Craig says the project illustrates why complex environmental problems increasingly require researchers to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

“We began with different questions and different methods, but the physics of the atmosphere and the biology of an ecosystem do not exist separately in the real world,” he says. “Bringing those perspectives together gives us a much richer understanding of what is happening.”

For the UP team, Marion Island’s relentless winds may carry a much broader message: if scientists want to understand how ecosystems will respond to a changing climate, they may need to look beyond how hot and wet the future becomes, and ask how windy it will be too.

- Author Prof Peter Le Roux, Dr Janine Schoombie, Prof Ken Craig.

©Higher Education Media Services.

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The University of South Africa (UNISA) is facing mounting scrutiny after trade union Solidarity, representing more than 400 employees at the institution, issued an urgent call for intervention over what it describes as “unsustainable and dangerous” working conditions.

In an open letter to Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela, Solidarity CEO Dirk Herman has demanded the appointment of an independent assessment panel to investigate the crisis, citing widespread burnout, early retirements, and a climate of fear among staff.

The letter follows a series of investigative articles published by ednews.africa, which revealed that three UNISA employees had allegedly died from illness linked to stress and burnout.

UNISA has denied the allegations and rather than respond to specific questions it sought to gag the publication by seeking to interdict ednews.africa from publishing further stories through court action. However, the gag order collapsed when the matter as thrown out of court.

Solidarity’s intervention marks a significant escalation, placing the country’s largest university under renewed pressure to account for what the union calls a “systemic failure” in protecting its workforce.

According to Herman, Solidarity conducted an anonymous survey among both members and non-members at UNISA to corroborate the concerns raised in a series of articles by ednews.africa.

In the letter to Manamela, Solidarity argues that the conditions are of such a serious nature that they warrant formal intervention under the Higher Education Act. The union has called for the appointment of an independent assessment panel and assessor in terms of Sections 43, 44 and 45 of Chapter 6 of the Act.

“Such an assessment would serve to investigate the concerns raised, determine their impact on the affected employees, and recommend appropriate measures to be implemented at UNISA,” Herman wrote in the letter to Manamela.

The union insists that only a formal, independent probe can establish the full extent of the crisis and ensure that employee well-being is protected. Without such intervention, Solidarity warns, the situation could deteriorate further, undermining both staff morale and the university’s ability to deliver quality education.

On the survey, Solidarity Says: “Anonymity was regarded as essential to ensure that employees could respond without fear of victimisation,” Herman explained. “Within a short period, responses confirmed that many of the concerns raised in the articles were indeed well-founded.”

The survey paints a bleak picture of life inside UNISA’s academic and administrative corridors. Employees report that workloads have become unsustainable following the employer’s decision to reduce the number of markers and e‑tutors who previously assisted with grading duties.

With numerous vacant posts across departments left unfilled, existing staff have been forced to absorb additional responsibilities, materially contributing to burnout.

Veteran employees with decades of service are now opting for early retirement, citing the toll on their health. Others have sought professional medical and psychological help, including prescribed medication, to cope with the stress. Alarmingly, respondents described an overall sense of fear, saying they were reluctant to speak out due to the risk of victimisation.

Key Concerns Raised by Employees

The predominant concerns highlighted in Solidarity’s survey include:

• Unsustainable workloads caused by the reduction of markers and e‑tutors.

• Unfilled vacancies across departments, forcing staff to absorb additional responsibilities.

• Early retirements among experienced employees due to health concerns.

• Medical and psychological strain, with some staff requiring professional help and prescribed medication.

• Climate of fear, with employees afraid to speak out due to victimisation risks.

Solidarity maintains that these issues are not isolated but systemic, reflecting deeper structural problems within UNISA’s management and staffing policies.

Solidarity’s intervention places the Minister in a difficult position. As the custodian of South Africa’s higher education system, Manamela is now under pressure to demonstrate that the government takes seriously the well-being of employees at the country’s largest university.

The union’s demand for an independent probe could set a precedent for how systemic staff welfare issues are addressed across the sector.

The crisis at UNISA is not occurring in isolation. Higher education institutions across South Africa have faced mounting challenges in balancing financial constraints, student demands, and staff welfare. However, Solidarity argues that UNISA’s situation is particularly acute, given its scale and reliance on distance learning.

With more than 400,000 students enrolled, UNISA is the largest university in Africa. The institution’s ability to deliver quality education depends heavily on the dedication of its staff.

Solidarity’s letter to Manamela represents a turning point in the unfolding crisis. By formally invoking provisions of the Higher Education Act, the union has escalated the matter beyond internal grievance processes, demanding government-level intervention.

Whether the Minister responds with urgency will be closely watched by staff, students, and the broader higher education community.

For now, UNISA remains under intense scrutiny, with Solidarity’s warning echoing loudly: without immediate action, the university risks deepening a crisis that could have far-reaching consequences for both employees and students.

This story will be updated as soon as we get a response from Manamela or UNISA management.

©Higher Education Media Services.

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Connecting Leaders Across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean

• Second cohort of fellows includes 12 cultural leaders from nine countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Jamaica, and Brazil

• The 12-month fellowship builds on Yale’s broader Africa initiative committed to strengthening long-term partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaboration

• To date, the program has had 16 fellows, trained more than 80 professionals, and supported the establishment of eight conservation centers across Africa.

  Yale University’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) has selected the second cohort of the Yale Directors Forum (YDF), an international fellowship program for cultural heritage leaders. The cohort includes 12 leaders from nine countries across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

  YDF is a global network of accomplished leaders working to preserve, protect, and share cultural heritage in both tangible and intangible forms, including artworks, photographs, archives, and other cultural collections, as well as living traditions such as cuisine, music, and practices passed across generations.

  “This cohort reflects the breadth and depth of leadership shaping the cultural heritage sector globally,” said Charlotte Ashamu, Director of International Programs at Yale IPCH.

  “The fellows represent institutions ranging from community-based heritage sites and cultural centers to leading museums, as well as practitioners working to sustain rich traditions in areas such as cuisine and textile design. Together, they bring perspectives from institutions stewarding cultural collections and those preserving living traditions in their communities, enriching the exchange between Yale and cultural leaders worldwide.”

  Now in its second cycle, the 12-month fellowship builds on Yale’s broader Africa initiative and reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening long-term partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across Africa.

  Through convenings, workshops, and engagement with Yale faculty and peers, fellows deepen expertise in cultural heritage leadership and expand professional networks while strengthening their institutions’ capacity to care for collections such as photographs, artworks, and historical documents.

  To date, the program has had 16 fellows, trained more than 80 professionals, and supported the establishment of eight conservation centers across Africa. The second cohort further strengthens connections between Africa and the African diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean.

  Through YDF, Yale is expanding its global engagement in cultural heritage by building sustained relationships with leading institutions and practitioners across regions, creating opportunities for deeper knowledge exchange, collaboration, and shared learning.

  

  ###

  About Yale’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) was established in 2011 at Yale University. It is dedicated to advancing the field of preservation through art, science, and human connection. The Institute’s mission is to preserve and promote cultural heritage through interdisciplinary research, conservation, and educational opportunity across Yale’s campus and around the globe. IPCH Programming promotes collaborative partnerships across Yale’s collections and strengthens the cultural heritage community of practice through partnerships and programs in the Global South and beyond.

  ****

  Yale Directors Forum 2026 Fellows

  Africa

  Nigeria
  Aisha Adamu Augie — Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC)
  Leads an institution dedicated to preserving the arts, history, and culture of Africa and its Diaspora

  Nigeria
  Fu’ad Lawal — Founder, Archivi.ng
  Develops digital archives preserving Nigerian newspapers and historical records for public access.

  Ghana
  Sylvia Arthur — Founder, Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD)
  Leads a library and research institute dedicated to preserving the literary heritage of Africa and its Diaspora.

  Kenya
  Iona McCreath — Director of Special Projects, KikoRomeo
  Leads initiatives preserving East African fashion and textile heritage.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Jess Kilubukila — Founder, Kilubukila Cultural Projects
  Works with communities in the DRC to preserve Kuba textile heritage and knowledge systems.

  South Africa
  Batana Vundla — Executive Director, Eyethu Heritage Hall
  Leads a cultural institution rooted in one of South Africa’s earliest Black-owned cinemas.

  South Africa
  Wandile Mabaso — Founder, Les Créatifs
  Chef preserving South African culinary heritage through contemporary cuisine.

  Togo
  Silvia Rosi — Archivist, Dans les Yeux de Chantal Kponton Lawson Association
  Preserves the photographic archive of Togo’s first female photographer.

  Caribbean

  Jamaica
  Kirt Henry — Director, African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica / Jamaica Memory Bank
  Stewards national collections and intangible cultural heritage across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

  Jamaica
  Faith Anderson — Director, Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey
  Leads Jamaica’s only museum dedicated to Marcus Garvey’s life and legacy.

  Latin America

  Brazil
  Raquel Barreto — Chief Curator, Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM Rio)
  Curator at one of Brazil’s leading modern and contemporary art museums.

  Panama
  Ana Elizabeth González — Executive Director, Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá - Leads a museum documenting Panama’s interoceanic history and global maritime connections.

  ©Higher Education Media Services.

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With punitive costs and a decisive High Court rebuke, the University of South Africa’s leadership must now navigate intensified investigative reporting as ednews.africa and media allies push to expose governance failures and protect academic voices.

The Pretoria High Court last Thursday dismissed an urgent application by UNISA, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula, seeking to gag journalist Edwin Naidu and the publication ednews.africa, marking a significant victory for media freedom during National Women’s Month in South Africa.

The court struck the matter from the roll for lack of urgency and ordered punitive costs against UNISA, finding no basis for the institution’s attempt to force the removal of articles and restrict further reporting.

The ruling protects a series of investigative reports published by ednews.africa detailing academic burnout, staff hospitalisations, and deaths linked to UNISA’s workload crisis following sweeping staff cuts.

Several media houses have since reported on UNISA's failed gagging attempt, highlighting the growing governance issues at Africa’s largest learning institution.

Noisy entrant

The publication, launched on 4 February as part of Higher Education Media Services, has rapidly become a notable new entrant in the African media landscape, amassing 454 subscribers and more than 100,000 views in six months without advertising or external funding.

Despite its modest size, ednews.africa has broken major stories across the continent, from governance failures and campus unrest to leadership scandals and inspiring profiles of women in academia.

Leading South African outlets, including the Sunday Times, Mail & Guardian, and IOL, have republished its reporting, as have media outlets in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, eSwatini, and Malawi. Some of the reports on ednews.africa have been credited by broadcast and online media outlets when they followed up on breaking stories.

Varsity tensions

The attempted gag order follows earlier friction between universities and the publication. Fort Hare threatened to personalise the arguments by taking to social media after multiple governance breaches reported in ednews.africa. They do not respond to media enquiries.

Last week, Fort Hare was the subject of a complaint to Parliament after the Student Representative Council filed a complaint and three council members resigned in August.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology lodged a complaint with the Press Ombud over governance reporting, but the Ombud dismissed the case, affirming ednews.africa right to publish.

“ednews.africa acted within the Press Code and was justified in reporting on governance breaches at CPUT. The complaint is dismissed.”

Last week, the university shut down amid violent unrest, echoing the publication’s reports on declining governance in the sector. Students at CPUT have asked for a probe into the university’s finances.

Court ruling welcomed

Media freedom organisations welcomed the High Court’s decision. Nicole Fritz of the Campaign for Free Expression said journalists must be able to investigate public power “without unjustified legal restraints,” while SANEF’s Reggy Moalusi condemned the attempt to silence Naidu, calling it “yet another case where our courts are abused.”

According to Moxii Africa’s William Bird, the High Court’s decision affirms a core democratic principle: journalists must be free to report on matters of public interest without intimidation or legal overreach.

Power Law Africa’s Michael Power and Tina Power both labelled it a victory for media freedom. They agreed: “This outcome strengthens media freedom and protects the public’s right to know.”

For Naidu and his three‑person team, the ruling is both vindication and fuel. “We will not be intimidated,” he said. “Your stories are our stories. Media is critical in any democracy, and passion, not deep pockets, is what drives impactful journalism.”

Naidu continues to face legal threats, including a defamation suit from a school principal accused of racism, but remains resolute: “Money can buy words, but not the truth.”

The UNISA case underscores the growing importance of independent, cross-border storytelling in a turbulent media era, where small, mission-driven outlets can still shape national debate and defend democratic accountability.

Showing Solidarity

Dirk Hermann, spokesperson for trade union Solidarity, said this is not only a victory for press freedom, but also for the truth and for Unisa employees.

“Solidarity’s own survey among its members confirms every word that ednews.africa wrote. The fact that it has been published now makes it possible to get answers. The truth must be published so that we can achieve a better Unisa as the outcome. The court is not a place where you can obtain permission to suppress the truth.”

UNISA did not comment when asked about its reaction to the verdict and did not say whether it would accept an olive branch from ednews.africa and work transparently to build South Africa’s education ecosystem.

Here are the links to the reports:

Deaths, Burnout and Academic Collapse: The Crisis Unfolding at Unisa

UNISA Threatens Action Over Report as Deaths, Hospitalisations and Staff Outcry Mount

BLOCKED! But not silenced by UNISA - ednews.africa

Women’s Month Begins with Two Children Mourning a UNISA Mom Lost After Burnout

(3) Significant Court Win for Media Freedom as UNISA’s Urgent Application Struck Off the Roll

©Higher Education Media Services.

In a victory for press freedom in the Pretoria High Court, Justice Collis this morning struck off the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) application for a "gagging order" against ednews.africa and journalist Edwin Naidu.

The matter was struck off the urgent court roll, with punitive costs, including the costs of two counsel.

“The matter is now over, and our clients are entitled to continue reporting on the "ongoing governance crisis" at UNISA,” said counsel Michael Power, welcoming the decision.

UNISA had not shown that the matter was urgent.

The Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) has welcomed today’s decision of the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to strike from the urgent roll the application brought by the UNISA.

CFE provided financial support to enable Naidu to defend the application, which sought urgent orders requiring the removal of reporting published on ednews.africa and restraining Naidu and the publication from further reporting of specified statements concerning an alleged governance crisis at the University.

Naidu and ednews.africa opposed the application on several grounds, foremost among them that UNISA had failed to establish urgency. They pointed out that the principal article had already been online for more than three weeks by the time of the hearing; that UNISA had waited 16 days after its publication before instituting proceedings; and that substantially similar reporting remained publicly available elsewhere.

Executive Director Nicole Fritz said CFE considers the outcome significant. “Orders requiring journalists to remove published reporting, or restraining what they may report in future, engage the constitutional protection of freedom of the press and should not be sought or granted lightly.

This is particularly so where the reporting concerns matters of legitimate public interest involving the governance of a major public institution. The Court’s decision today means that UNISA failed to establish the urgency required to obtain the immediate takedown and restraint orders it sought. The award of costs on the punitive attorney-and-client scale is also notable.”

Fritz added that CFE will continue to support journalists facing legal proceedings that threaten their ability to undertake legitimate public-interest reporting.

“Journalists must be able to investigate and report on the exercise of public power without being subjected to unjustified legal restraints,” she added.

Naidu and ednews.africa were represented by Power Law Africa, which included Michael Power and Tina Power, acting as counsel, and Sophie Smit, as the attorney of record.

Moxii Africa was admitted as amicus curiae in the proceedings and represented by Ruth Kruger. Executive Director, William Bird, said Moxii Africa welcomes the outcome and pledged to continue fighting for media freedom on the continent.

Reggy Moalusi, Sanef’s executive director, also commented on the outcome of the court ruling.

“Journalists should not be subjected to any kind of unfair treatment and harassment. This is yet another case where our courts are abused, all in the name of trying to silence Edwin (Naidu). Sanef welcomes the court outcome.”

Zingisa Mkhuma, the editor of ednews.africa, described the outcome as a victory for media freedom, in particular, for the many “silenced” voices who had no one to turn to but the media on the UNISA stories.

“Ednews.africa welcomes the court ruling and applauds the judge for considering a punitive cost order against Unisa, whose actions have wasted not only the court’s time but also that of the legal team forced to defend the matter; above all, the ruling is a victory for free speech in South Africa, as guaranteed by the Constitution, particularly in this case where the stories published were of clear public interest, arising from concerns after we were leaked a report that three university employees allegedly lost their lives due to work-related stress linked to unfair treatment and labour practices.

No journalist with a heart would look away when such information with such consequences is brought to his attention, which is what Edwin Naidu did in this case. We will continue doing our service to our community by revealing more stories at UNISA and any institution with similar injustices,” said Mkhuma.

Several staff members at UNISA congratulated the publication for being a “courageous voice” and helping to make their real challenges public.

UNISA was asked to comment on the court outcome. The story will be updated with their response.

Learn more about the case and access the court papers via Power Law Africa here: https://lnkd.in/dh9-RCCt.

©Higher Education Media Services.

For many Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre owners and principals, registering their centres can feel like a complicated and sometimes overwhelming process. Afrika Tikkun Bambanani (ATB) is working to change this by bringing registration support directly into the communities in which ECD centres operate.

Through its partnership with the Bana Pele ECD registration initiative, Afrika Tikkun Bambanani will host a series of registration drives at Afrika Tikkun centres during September, giving ECD owners and principals an opportunity to receive practical assistance, ask questions and better understand what is required to register their centres.

Registration is an important step in the development of a sustainable ECD centre. It brings centres into the formal ECD system and helps ensure that they are working towards the standards required to provide young children with safe, appropriate and quality early learning environments.

Registration can also open the door to opportunities and support available to qualifying ECD programmes through government and the wider ECD sector.

Yet for many ECD owners, particularly those operating in under-resourced communities, navigating the registration process can be daunting. Requirements, documentation and uncertainty about the process can discourage centres from taking the first step.

This is where Afrika Tikkun Bambanani believes it can make a difference.

ATB works extensively with ECD centres and practitioners across South Africa and understands that strengthening early childhood education requires more than training teachers in the classroom. ECD owners and principals also need support to build centres that are compliant, sustainable and equipped to serve their communities over the long term.

By hosting the Bana Pele registration drives at established Afrika Tikkun centres, ATB is helping to bring this support closer to the people who need it.

The September drives will provide ECD owners and principals with an accessible space where they can find out more about registration, receive guidance on the process and address concerns or misconceptions that may have prevented them from registering previously.

The initiative also forms part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration between the ECD sector and the Department of Education and to ensure that more centres are able to participate in South Africa’s formal early childhood development system.

For Afrika Tikkun Bambanani, supporting registration is closely aligned with its wider commitment to strengthening the quality and sustainability of ECD provision in South Africa.

The organisation believes that ECD centres should not have to navigate the journey towards registration alone. By connecting centre owners and principals with the information, guidance and support available through Bana Pele, the registration drives aim to make that journey clearer and more accessible.

ECD centre owners and principals in communities surrounding participating Afrika Tikkun centres are encouraged to attend the September registration drives, even if they are uncertain about the registration process or do not yet have all the required documentation.

The first step is simply to come, ask questions and find out what is needed.

Ultimately, increasing the number of registered and supported ECD centres means strengthening the environments in which South Africa’s youngest children begin their education - and giving the people who care for and educate them a stronger foundation from which to build.

For further information please contact theresa@afrikatikkunbambanani.co.za

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As South Africa marks Women’s Month throughout August, a gathering of women who work at the heart of the country’s justice system turned their attention to a reality that continues to threaten the safety, dignity, and freedom of women and children: gender-based violence.

The 2026 Annual General Conference of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ) brought judges, magistrates, legal practitioners, academics, policymakers, and other stakeholders to the University of the Free State (UFS) from 7 to 9 August.

Hosted by SAC-IAWJ in partnership with the UFS Faculty of Law, the conference was held under the theme ‘From Policy to Protection: Advancing Accountability, Justice, and Systemic Reform to End Gender-Based Violence in South Africa’, placing the gap between South Africa’s legal commitments and the lived experiences of survivors firmly at the centre of the conversation.

For Judge President Segopotje Mphahlele, President of SAC-IAWJ and Judge President of the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, the gathering offered an opportunity to reflect on how far South Africa has come since the adoption of its Constitution, while confronting what remains unresolved.

“Thirty years into our constitutional democracy, we must ask whether we have realised the transformative vision of our Constitution, particularly for women and children, who continue to face gender-based violence,” she said.

From constitutional promise to lived reality

That question echoed throughout the conference as delegates examined what it takes to turn laws, policies, and constitutional rights into protection that survivors can actually experience.

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel said the conference theme spoke directly to one of the country’s greatest constitutional, social, and human rights challenges.

“Passing laws is essential, but legislation cannot end gender-based violence. Constitutional promises must be translated into practical protection. Rights must become lived realities. Institutions must inspire confidence. Survivors must experience justice not as an aspiration, but as a reality,” he said.

South Africa has developed an extensive legal and institutional framework to respond to gender-based violence, including specialised Sexual Offences Courts, survivor support measures, enhanced investigative and prosecutorial mechanisms, access to post-exposure prophylaxis, and a strengthened National Register for Sex Offenders.

But Deputy Minister Nel cautioned that the effectiveness of these reforms depends on how they are implemented by the people who administer justice. “Laws alone are not enough. Their effectiveness depends on the commitment of investigators, prosecutors, legal practitioners, magistrates, and judges, who give practical effect to constitutional rights every day,” he said.

It is this distance – between what the law promises and what women experience – that Judge Mphahlele urged delegates to confront honestly. While acknowledging the significant strides made towards gender equality within the judiciary and other institutions, she said gender-based violence continues to devastate the lives of countless women and children across the country.

She called on delegates to reflect not only on how far the country has come, but on how much further it still needs to go, and to renew their collective commitment to ensuring that policy is translated into meaningful protection.

Deputy Minister Nel also highlighted the growing representation of women on the Bench, saying this has enriched South African jurisprudence and strengthened public confidence in the administration of justice. Women judges, he said, have made a measurable contribution to developing a justice system that is more responsive to the experiences of survivors and more attentive to the realities of discrimination and inequality.

From conversation to change

For UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Hester C. Klopper, the question of implementation is equally important to the University’s role in society. “The value of this conference will not be determined by the distinction of those in the room, or the quality of the papers alone. It will be determined by what changes because we gathered,” Prof Klopper said.

Hosting the conference during Women’s Month created an important space for scholarship, judicial experience, public policy, and professional practice to meet around one of the country’s most urgent challenges.

Prof Klopper pointed to the responsibility of universities to contribute to systemic change, not only by educating future professionals but by producing research and evidence that can help identify why systems fail, which interventions work, and how justice can become more accessible to people across different communities.

That responsibility is particularly significant in the context of gender-based violence, which can see a survivor’s experience of the justice system either restore trust or deepen trauma. “For too many women, protection remains a legal promise rather than a lived reality,” Prof Klopper said.

The conference explored this challenge from several angles, including judicial wellness and vicarious trauma, criminal justice and evidentiary theory, structural inequality, civil liability, and strategic litigation.

The breadth of the discussions reflected the reality that gender-based violence cannot be addressed through legislation or the courts alone. The response requires accountability across the institutions responsible for prevention, investigation, prosecution, adjudication, protection, education, and care.

It also requires these institutions to work together to identify where cases are lost, where procedures expose survivors to further harm, and where policies fail to translate into action.

Judge Mphahlele said the task is to confront these remaining barriers honestly – and renew the collective commitment to ensuring that policy becomes meaningful protection.

For Deputy Minister Nel, that commitment must be matched by the people who give practical effect to the law.

And for Prof Klopper, the measure of a gathering such as this lies ultimately beyond the conference itself. “The movement from policy to protection requires capable institutions, adequate resources, credible evidence, clear accountability, and leaders who are prepared to confront failure rather than explain it away,” she said.

The challenge emerging from the conference is therefore not simply whether South Africa has policies, laws, or constitutional protections. It is whether those commitments are being implemented in ways that women and children can experience in their everyday lives.

As Women’s Month celebrates the contributions and achievements of women, this gathering of women judges at UFS offered a reminder that advancing women’s rights also requires confronting the systems that continue to leave many women unsafe.

Story Tshepo Tsotetsi and Photo Kaleidoscope Studios, first published in University of Free State website.

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The UCT Council convened a special meeting on 15 August 2026 to address issues arising from the Vice-Chancellor’s court challenge to four Council resolutions adopted on 30 May 2026.

After receiving legal advice, Council resolved to follow all preliminary court processes and to wait for the Vice-Chancellor to supplement his papers before deciding whether to oppose the review.

Council also confirmed its willingness to enter mediation and suspended the implementation of the four disputed resolutions until the High Court concludes the judicial review.

Council emphasised its duty to respect ongoing legal processes, protect confidentiality, including matters before the Ombud, and act in the best interests of UCT guided by fairness, accountability and institutional values.

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The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has noted the judgment of the Gauteng Division of the High Court delivered on Friday in Ramashia and Others v Minister of Higher Education and Training and Others, the department said in a statement.

The Court has granted interim relief suspending the appointment of the NSFAS Administrator pending determination of Part B of the review and has directed the former board members to resume the governance and administration of NSFAS in the interim.

Manamela respects the rule of law and is obtaining legal advice on the implications of the judgment and the appropriate way forward, the department said in its statement on Friday.

“The Minister remains committed to ensuring that NSFAS fulfils its mandate of providing financial assistance to eligible students and that the Scheme is governed effectively, transparently and in the best interests of South African students.

“Further communication will follow once the judgment has been fully considered and legal advice received”.

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Jason Arday, the former University of Cambridge professor whose career recently became the focus of a high-profile plagiarism controversy, has died at the age of 41.

Emergency services were called to an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday where a man was found unresponsive, according to the BBC. The Metropolitan Police said the death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious.

Arday’s family said they were “in shock” at the loss of a man they described as an “amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son”. In a statement, they said the intense public scrutiny and misinformation surrounding recent allegations had taken a heavy toll on him.

His death comes just days after he resigned from his position as Professor of Sociology of Education at Cambridge University following allegations of plagiarism and questions about aspects of his academic record. Arday consistently denied plagiarism claims, although he acknowledged errors in some of his earlier academic work.

The controversy began when Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge academic, publicly alleged that Arday’s scholarship contained multiple instances of plagiarism. Arday maintained that some citation mistakes stemmed from challenges linked to his autism, explaining that he had relied on mimicry during his early academic development.

Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded his PhD in 2015, previously investigated allegations relating to his doctoral work and found no evidence of plagiarism.

In announcing his resignation last week, Arday said the sustained scrutiny had come at a significant personal cost.

“While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement,” he said.

Cambridge University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said the institution was “desperately saddened” by the news and extended condolences to Arday’s family and friends. Education Secretary Lucy Powell also expressed shock and sadness, urging the public to remember that those involved in such controversies are real people with families and loved ones.

Arday’s appointment in 2023 as Cambridge’s youngest Black professor was widely celebrated as a landmark moment in British higher education. Having overcome significant childhood challenges, including being non-verbal until age 11, he rose from a career as a physical education teacher to become one of the UK’s most prominent academics.

His death has prompted renewed debate about media scrutiny, academic accountability and the pressures faced by public figures in higher education. Friends and colleagues described him as a compassionate scholar who had become increasingly distressed in recent weeks.

Arday had recently completed a memoir chronicling his remarkable journey, from childhood adversity to academic prominence, a story that inspired many across the UK and beyond.

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“There are still major gaps in what is known about colorectal cancer in South African populations. We want to understand what causes the disease, how it can be detected earlier, why it is being seen in younger people and why some treatments work better for certain patients than for others,” says Dr Lisa Campbell-Roper, DGMI Project Manager.

CoRECT is a longitudinal clinical cohort and biorepository. The study will include people who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer (known as cases), as well as people without the disease, who will form a healthy control group.

The study’s aim is to create a rich dataset on clinical, sociodemographic, occupational and dietary details from participants. There will be an overlay of lab information (histopathology), other investigations (such as diagnostic imaging) and then samples to create a biorepository for unpacking the molecular architecture of these tumours.

Furthermore, the study will unpack the genetic drivers of tumour formation and the role of lifestyle factors, as well as the molecular signatures that determine how individuals respond to treatment and why some don’t respond to treatment.

Genomic research will examine DNA while transcriptomic and proteomic studies will investigate gene activity and proteins. Microbiome research will explore the communities of microorganisms living in the gut and oral cavity, and how they may be associated with colorectal cancer.

“The broader vision for CoRECT is to create a platform for Wits to drive this understudied research forward and to use what we find to create African-informed precision oncology diagnostics and ideally therapeutics”, says Dr June Fabian, Director of the DGMI.

Why are younger people developing colorectal cancer?

Although colorectal cancer has traditionally been associated with older adults, there is growing concern about the number of people developing the disease at younger ages.

Early-onset colorectal cancer is generally defined as colorectal cancer diagnosed before the age of 50. A South African analysis published in 2024, based on National Cancer Registry data, found that a quarter of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were younger than 50. The researchers also found that younger patients were more likely to be of African ancestry and called for further investigation into the genetic, epigenetic and socioeconomic factors shaping the disease in South Africa.

“CoRECT is not limited to early-onset disease, but places particular emphasis on understanding colorectal cancer in younger people and individuals of African ancestry. Continental Africans are underrepresented in studies, with assumptions that diaspora populations, like African Americans, can be used as a proxy,” explains Campbell-Roper.

This focus is important because much remains unknown about whether colorectal cancers developing in younger African patients have distinct biological characteristics, environmental drivers or patterns of treatment response.

From the operating theatre to the laboratory

Tissue collected from a tumour and from the adjacent “normal” bowel offers researchers a unique opportunity to compare the tumour at a molecular level, examine its genetic features, gene activity, proteins and surrounding microbial environment and compare this to unaffected tissue in the same patient.

As the cohort grows, researchers will be able to compare findings across patients of different ages and backgrounds, and between people with and without colorectal cancer.

“The value of the platform will build over time. Each patient contributes another layer of information, while longitudinal follow-up will help researchers connect what they see in the laboratory with the course of the disease and its response to treatment,” says Fabian.

A platform for collaboration

Wits has provided the platform for the CoRECT Cancer Study, with specialist colorectal surgeons as the clinical leads of the project: Dr Brendan Bebington from the Colorectal Unit at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and Dr Vuyo Soldati, Head of Colorectal Surgery at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The project investigators are supported by a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

“We hope to support wider national, regional, and international collaborations focused on colorectal cancer and early-onset disease,” says Bebington.

The next step is to grow the number and range of participants so that colorectal cancer in South Africans can be studied with the depth and sustained attention it has long lacked.

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The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), Professor Rushiella Songca, has described the University’s achievement of an unqualified audit opinion as one of the most significant milestones in its history, calling it the beginning of a new era of renewal, accountability, and sustainable excellence.

The outcome marks an extraordinary turnaround. Universities emerging from a disclaimer audit opinion often spend years rebuilding governance systems, strengthening financial controls, and restoring confidence.

For MUT to secure an unqualified audit opinion in such a short period is unprecedented, reflecting the collective resolve of an institution determined to change its trajectory.

Professor Songca, who assumed office as Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal in March 2026, expressed pride and humility at leading MUT during this defining period.

“I am deeply humbled and immensely proud to stand alongside the Council, Executive Management, Senate, staff and students at this historic moment. While I have only been at MUT since March, this achievement belongs to every individual who believed that this University could rise again.

“It is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible when people unite behind a shared vision, act with integrity and place the interests of the University above individual interests.”

She praised the dedication of staff who worked long hours to strengthen governance and accountability. “Many colleagues sacrificed personal time and demonstrated unwavering commitment. Their professionalism and belief in MUT’s future made this achievement possible. This success belongs to all of us.”

Professor Songca also paid tribute to the University’s governance structures, acknowledging the strategic leadership of Council under Chairperson Dr Mosidi Makgae, and the critical oversight of the Finance and Investment Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. “Their rigorous oversight and commitment to accountability ensured our turnaround strategy remained focused and measurable,” she said.

Council described the achievement as “a defining moment in the history of the institution,” while governance committee leaders commended the collective efforts that enabled MUT to move from a disclaimer to an unqualified audit opinion.

While celebrating, Professor Songca stressed that the audit outcome is not the destination but a foundation. “An unqualified audit is far more than a financial outcome. It reflects stronger governance, greater accountability, improved systems, and renewed confidence in how we manage resources.

“Most importantly, it gives our students, staff, government, industry partners, donors and society renewed confidence that MUT is building an institution worthy of their trust.”

She noted that the milestone directly supports MUT’s IGNITE 2030 Strategy, which positions the University as a leading institution of technology recognised for academic excellence, impactful research, innovation, stakeholder confidence, and sustainable development.

“Today we celebrate, but tomorrow we continue the work,” Professor Songca concluded.

“We have demonstrated that transformation is possible. Our responsibility now is to protect this achievement, build on it, and ensure that future generations inherit an institution that is stronger, more accountable, and globally respected. This marks the beginning of MUT’s next chapter—from recovery to resilience, from resilience to excellence, and from excellence to lasting impact.”

As MUT celebrates this landmark achievement, the University reaffirms its commitment to strengthening governance, advancing academic excellence, promoting innovation, and creating lasting value for students, staff, partners, and the broader South African society.

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In a landmark ruling, a Syrian court in Damascus has sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, convicting him of crimes committed during Syria’s brutal civil war. His younger brother, Maher al-Assad, was handed the same sentence.

The court found Assad guilty of premeditated killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and crimes against humanity. The verdict marks the most dramatic step yet in Syria’s effort to pursue transitional justice following the collapse of Assad’s decades-long family rule in December 2024.

Assad was not present in court. He fled Syria after his government fell and has since been living in Russia. The ruling, delivered in absentia, means Assad is unlikely to face immediate execution. His return to Syria would depend on Russia agreeing to extradite him - a prospect analysts say is highly uncertain.

Legal experts note that while the verdict is symbolically powerful, enforcing a death sentence against a former head of state living under Moscow’s protection presents immense diplomatic and legal challenges. The case underscores the tension between Syria’s new judiciary and the realities of international politics.

Syria’s civil war began in 2011, part of the wave of uprisings known as the Arab Spring. What started as peaceful protests against Assad’s rule quickly spiraled into one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Over 500,000 people were killed, and millions were displaced internally and abroad.

Assad’s government was accused of systematic abuses: widespread torture, indiscriminate bombings, chemical weapons attacks, and mass arrests. These allegations drew global condemnation, though Assad remained in power for more than a decade, backed by allies including Russia and Iran.

The Assad family had ruled Syria since 1971, when Bashar’s father, Hafez al-Assad, seized power. Bashar inherited the presidency in 2000, promising reforms that never materialised. Instead, his rule became synonymous with repression and war.

The verdict is being hailed by some Syrians as a turning point - a symbolic break with decades of authoritarian rule. Human rights advocates argue it represents an attempt to hold former regime officials accountable for atrocities.

Yet questions remain: Can Syria’s new justice system deliver fair trials? Will sentencing leaders in absentia achieve genuine accountability, or merely serve as political theater? And most pressing, will Russia shield Assad from facing justice?

For Syrians, the ruling is both cathartic and complicated. It acknowledges the suffering endured during years of war, but also highlights the daunting task of rebuilding a justice system capable of prosecuting crimes at the highest level. Whether Assad ever faces the sentence remains uncertain, but the verdict itself marks a historic moment in Syria’s long struggle for justice.

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The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has formally requested the intervention of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) and the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education over nearly R4 billion in contracts and expenditure involving Khumzi Investments and the Eastern Cape Department of Education.

UDM President Maj. Gen. Bantu Holomisa has raised alarm over what he describes as “extraordinary and deeply troubling” spending patterns, particularly the reported R3.4 billion allocated to travel and accommodation over a five-year period.

Holomisa’s letter highlights stark contradictions between the reported expenditure and the realities faced by learners in the province. Many schools continue to operate without adequate sanitation, infrastructure, or teaching materials. Some children still learn under trees, cross rivers to reach classrooms, or face long distances without reliable scholar transport.

“Public money allocated to education must ultimately serve education and, above all, the learner,” Holomisa wrote. “Every rand spent must be capable of being justified in terms of necessity, efficiency, effectiveness, economy and measurable public benefit.”

Payments Under Scrutiny

According to figures now in the public domain:

• R336.56 million was authorised through 1,317 payments to Khumzi Investments in 2025 alone.

• Between 19 June and 8 July 2025, the company reportedly received 96 payments totalling R12.5 million.

• Reports also point to the urgent processing of R18.5 million in outstanding payments, including an instruction allegedly issued in the early hours of the morning to expedite approvals.

Holomisa argues that these transactions must be reconciled against contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and services rendered, warning that the concentration of such vast sums through a single company raises red flags about procurement practices, competition, and value for money.

The UDM has urged AGSA to conduct a special forensic audit into the contracts and payments, while calling on Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education to summon senior officials — including the MEC, Head of Department, CFO, and supply-chain managers — to account for the expenditure.

Holomisa insists that Parliament must demand the complete documentary record of the reported R3.95 billion in contracts, reconciling contracted amounts against actual services delivered and measurable benefits to the education system.

“This is not an abstract accounting matter,” Holomisa stressed. “Every rand improperly spent is a rand that could have provided stationery, learning materials, sanitation, school nutrition or infrastructure. We cannot have children learning under trees while billions are being spent on travel and accommodation.”

The UDM’s intervention underscores growing public concern about governance and accountability in the Eastern Cape’s education system, where persistent challenges continue to undermine learners’ access to quality schooling.

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The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has appointed Professor Norman Duncan as Independent Assessor to the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in terms of sections 44 and 47 of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997), as amended.

Professor Duncan is a highly respected South African academic and psychologist with a long career in university leadership, governance, and social psychology. He is currently Professor Emeritus and former Vice‑Principal: Academic at the University of Pretoria

The appointment, published in the Government Gazette on 11 August 2026, follows sustained engagement between the Department and the University over governance and administrative challenges affecting the institution.

In June, Minister Manamela met with the UNIVEN Council to discuss developments at the University. The following month, he formally notified Council of his intention to appoint an Independent Assessor and invited representations. Council submitted its views, which were considered before the Minister reached a final decision.

After assessing Council’s representations and all information before him, the Minister concluded that an independent assessment is necessary to establish the source and nature of the governance and management difficulties at UNIVEN, and to advise on measures to strengthen institutional stability.

The Minister emphasised that appointing an Independent Assessor is not equivalent to appointing an administrator and does not displace Council or executive management from their lawful responsibilities.

Professor Duncan will conduct an investigation in line with the terms of reference published in the Gazette. The assessment will consider, among other issues:

• governance decisions of Council relating to precautionary suspensions, litigation, and Council’s capacity to fulfil its statutory duties;

• the functioning and effectiveness of Council and Executive Management, including the relationship between these structures and its impact on governance and administration;

• whether the ability of Council and Executive Management members to fulfil their statutory and fiduciary duties has been compromised;

• financial decisions and concessions made by Council, including legal fees and their impact on the University’s financial sustainability;

• governance challenges relating to the Convocation, including matters concerning its Constitution; and

• any other matter that, in the Assessor’s opinion, affects the effective governance, management or administration of the University.

Professor Duncan will report directly to the Minister, providing findings and recommended measures, together with reasons for those recommendations. He is required to submit his written report within 90 days of the notice’s publication and must conduct the investigation in accordance with the Higher Education Act, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, and principles of procedural fairness.

“The appointment of an Independent Assessor is not a punitive measure and should not be interpreted as a finding against any individual or structure of the University. It is an independent fact‑finding process intended to establish the facts and assist us in determining what measures, if any, are required to strengthen governance and management at UNIVEN,” said Minister Manamela.

“Our overriding responsibility is to protect the academic mandate of the University and the interests of its students, staff and the broader public. The University must remain focused on teaching, learning, research and student support while this process is under way,” he added.

The Minister called on Council, Executive Management, staff, students, Convocation and all stakeholders to cooperate fully with Professor Duncan and provide all necessary information. He further urged all parties to allow the Assessor to carry out his responsibilities independently and without interference.

Minister Manamela wished Professor Duncan well in undertaking this important assignment and said he looks forward to receiving the report and recommendations.

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A strong cut-off low over the interior of South Africa is responsible for the cold, wet conditions and snowfall being experienced in parts of Johannesburg and elsewhere in the country, according to Professor Jennifer Fitchett, a climatologist at Wits University’s School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental studies.

Fitchett says the system developed from a cold front that moved across the Cape and South Coast. A cut-off low, which is a section of cold, low-pressure air that broke away from the main weather system, became stationary and positioned over the interior.

Unlike cold fronts that move through relatively quickly, Fitchett, also the head of Postgraduate Studies and Researcher Development at Wits, says a cut-off low can remain over an area for longer, bringing very cold and moisture-rich conditions. These systems are responsible for much of South Africa’s snowfall and for the snow that occasionally falls in Johannesburg.

“The small flurries that we’ve seen this morning are likely to continue through the day, and we may even see greater amounts of snow towards the evening,” says Fitchett.

She says snow in Johannesburg is uncommon, but not unusual. The city’s high altitude means temperatures can occasionally become cold enough for snow when the right weather system is present.

Is the snow linked to climate change?

Fitchett cautions against linking an individual snowfall event directly to climate change without detailed research.

Scientists generally need long-term records to determine whether events such as snowfall are becoming more frequent, while studies that establish whether climate change contributed to a specific extreme weather event can take considerable time.

“At this point in time, we wouldn’t say that it’s happening more frequently. We might wait another two years for another snow. We might wait another 20 years,” says Fitchett.

What scientists are seeing, however, is greater unpredictability in weather and climate events as climate change intensifies, she says.

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Police probe deepens as independent forensic findings point to strangulation; parents urge South Africans to avoid speculation and protect the privacy of grieving children.

The death of 17‑year‑old St Stithians Girls’ College learner Cameron Waldeck‑Cooks has now become the subject of an active murder investigation, following preliminary forensic findings and new details released by her family.

Cameron, a Grade 11 pupil working toward the Gold level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, had travelled to Sabie, Mpumalanga, as part of a multi‑day hiking trip with two families. Her parents say she viewed the hike as an opportunity to advance her Award requirements, a programme linked to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Ethan Coetzee, 19, who matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College last year, was also found dead in a holiday home.

On the morning of 3 August 2026, the family was notified that Graham Coetzee had discovered Cameron’s body. In a statement issued by her parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck‑Cooks, they confirmed that they appointed an independent forensic pathologist whose preliminary findings indicate Cameron died as a result of strangulation and suffocation.

They added: “The police have confirmed that they have opened a murder investigation.”

Police Investigation: What We Know So Far

Mpumalanga SAPS sources confirm that detectives from the provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit are leading the investigation. Officers have already taken statements from individuals who were part of the hiking group, and forensic teams have revisited the scene to collect additional evidence.

Police have not yet confirmed whether any suspects have been identified, and investigators are reportedly awaiting full forensic results, including toxicology and detailed pathology analysis, before making further announcements.

Authorities say they are also examining conflicting accounts circulating publicly about the circumstances surrounding Cameron’s death. Her parents addressed this directly, urging restraint: “We ask that speculation not be presented as fact while the investigation and forensic processes remain ongoing.”

A Family in Mourning

In their statement, Cameron’s parents described her as “kind‑hearted, warm and determined… She had a quiet strength, cared deeply for those around her, and naturally encouraged and supported younger girls who looked up to her.”

They said her death has left “an immeasurable void” in their lives and expressed deep gratitude to the St Stithians community, including her friends, netball teammates and rowing peers, whose support has “sustained us during an unimaginably painful time.”

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The battle over the leadership of South Africa’s National Skills Fund (NSF) took a turn when the High Court in Johannesburg ruled that it does not have jurisdiction to hear the urgent application brought by Khathutshelo Innocent Sirovha and the South African Youth Economic Council.

On Thursday, Acting Judge Nxumalo referred the matter to the Labour Court for determination, marking a significant procedural shift in a case that has drawn national attention.

Sirovha, who emerged as the top candidate from 93 applicants for the NSF CEO position, argued that his appointment had been confirmed and acted upon earlier this year. He sought an interim interdict to stop Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela’s directive to rerun the recruitment process, issued on 17 June 2026.

According to the judgment, the Minister justified the directive on the basis that “material irregularities” had arisen and needed to be addressed before any appointment reached “legal finality”.

However, the Court found that even deciding the interim relief would require interpreting section 29(1)(d) of the Skills Development Act, the very provision Sirovha relied on to assert his “prima facie right” to the position.

The judgment states, “My right flows directly from section 29(1)(d) of the Skills Development Act and from the completed appointment made under it” Because section 31 of the Act grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Labour Court for all matters arising from the Act, the High Court concluded it was “constrained to find that it does not have jurisdiction” to entertain the interim relief sought. In terms of section 31(3), the matter was formally referred to the Labour Court, with each party ordered to pay its own costs.

Where to Next?

The Labour Court will now determine whether Manamela acted lawfully in directing that the recruitment process be restarted — and whether Sirovha’s appointment was validly completed.

Both sides will have the opportunity to amend their papers and seek condonation where necessary.

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Cheers erupted from the side lines when the Soshanguve Gogo’s claimed victory over a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) team during a Mandela Day sports celebration between the University and the community.

Their inspiring performance embodied the spirit of Ubuntu in Action: Building an Inclusive Community while promoting wellness, teamwork and social unity.

Community aerobics and high-energy soccer matches kept participants active throughout the day. People of all ages joined the activities at the Soshanguve South Sports Field on 17 July, creating a joyful atmosphere filled with energy, laughter and community spirit. The programme demonstrated how sport can unite people while supporting physical and mental well-being.

Organised by the Directorates of Sport and Recreation, in collaboration with Transformation, Employment Equity and Diversity, Corporate Affairs and Marketing, and the Alumni Relations Office, the event welcomed TUT staff, alumni, community members, partners and sponsors for a shared celebration of the Mandela Day spirit.

The programme encouraged healthy living, teamwork and social cohesion while strengthening relationships between the University and the Soshanguve community.

One of the highlights was definitely the performance of the Soshanguve Gogo’s, who impressed spectators with their determination, teamwork and enthusiasm on the soccer field. When they later faced a TUT team and claimed the trophy, cheers erupted from the crowd. Their achievement showed that age is no barrier to staying active and contributing positively to community life.

Old Mutual, Metropolitan Police, TseboAfrica and Tsalanang supported the celebration, providing refreshments and snacks for participants, reinforcing the spirit of giving and service associated with Mandela Day.

Through initiatives such as this celebration, TUT builds relationships with surrounding communities while promoting inclusion and wellness. The event demonstrated ubuntu in practice, with the university, community and its partners working together to create a meaningful Mandela Day celebration.

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