Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has introduced Rangata Attorneys to Khehlekile Primary School in Tokoza and the family of Sibusiso Mbatha, after the Grade 6 learner at the school, tragically took his own life on Monday, 23 October 2023.
Rangata Attorneys will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mbatha and will provide recommendations on how to conclude the matter.
The law firm has been given five days to conclude their investigations, and their findings will be shared upon conclusion.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Sunday the department has enhanced security measures to prevent paper leaks in all nine provinces as Grade 12s prepare to start writing their 2023 exams from Monday.
Briefing the media in Tshwane ahead of the exams Motshekga said the State Security Agency (SSA) has also audited all security enhancement processes.
“Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) must follow standard operating procedures training storage point managers in security protocols. Moreover, specific collection times for question papers by chief invigilators have been established to deter early access. Each PED has its own irregularity committee to anticipate and mitigate the crisis,” she said.
Motshekga also said all PEDs and schools have devised contingency plans, including backup generators to mitigate challenges of load shedding that has been brought to Stage 2 from Sunday.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga. Picture: Eddie Mtsweni
The Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information Technology (IT) Paper 1 examinations were conducted this week without power issues, with isolated incidents, she said, adding that the affected candidates were isolated and managed.
If there were power interruptions Motshekga said the DBE will offer a backup paper if needed.
“In South African Sign Language Home Language (SASL HL), candidates’ laptops will be fully charged before each examination commences, and backup power supply measures have been put in place”.
Over 717 377 candidates have registered to participate in the final examinations across 6,898 centres nationwide.
Motshekga said the figures are not mere statistics; they embody the aspirations, dreams, and relentless efforts of Grade 12 learners.
“They stand as a testament to the resilience of our students and the continuous dedication of the Department of Basic Education in providing them with a platform to succeed.
“When we compare this year’s figures to 2022, we observe a gradual decrease in the number of candidates, 34,626 candidates, and this could be attributed to the fact that more candidates complete their qualifications on time,” she said.
Basic Education Director-General Mathanzima Mweli. Picture: Eddie Mtsweni
There has been an increase in the number of part-time learners from 168 631 in 2022 to 181 143 in 2023 (an increase of 12 512).
A total of 207 question papers, 72 500 invigilators and 52 500 markers will drive the examinations process.
The quality assurance body Umalusi has approved all question papers to be administered in the 2023 Examinations and given the nod to the exams.
Motshekga will on Monday monitor the first day of the 2023 matric examinations in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng and will be joined by Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.
During the media briefing today, I shared some of the tips I’ve given to the matric candidates as they prepare to write their exams.
The 2024 SA Rugby Academy and Elite Player Development 3 programmes kicked into gear on Monday with three camps for U19 players in Stellenbosch, including five players who featured in this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship.
According to the sarugby.co.za, the Junior Springboks’ coaching and management staff will oversee the camps, which started on Monday and conclude on 15 December, and will form part of the 2023 Elite Player Development Programme. A number of provincial age-group coaches were also invited to the camps.
The five 2023 Junior Springbok representatives who have been invited to Stellenbosch are Litelihle Bester, Jurenzo Julius, Asad Moos, Zachary Porthen and JF van Heerden.
Twelve players will attend the first camp, where the focus will be on strength and conditioning. The number will then jump to 33 players for the assessment camp, with three additional players invited on a part-time basis. The series of camps will conclude in December when 14 players get together for a tight five camp.
“These initiatives are essential for identifying and nurturing talent as part of our EPD programme, and I’m delighted that we’ll have a big group of players to work with in the coming weeks,” said SA U20 head coach Bafana Nhleko.
“Almost all of these players have been part of either the SA Schools teams in the last two seasons, the SA Rugby Academy programme or played for the Junior Boks earlier this year, so they will know what to expect when they arrive in Stellenbosch.
“However, we are also aware that many of these guys have played little to no rugby this year, so it’s important to see where they are and what upskilling will be required with an eye on next year.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 11: Litelihle Bester during the Junior Springboks training session at San Souci School on July 11, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Litelihle Bester played for the Junior Boks this year.
“We’ve been keeping a close eye on the SA Rugby Under-21 Cup competition, which concludes this weekend, and it was great to see so many of the players we’ve identified earlier in their careers putting their hands up in competition even though they are still Under-19,” added Nhleko.
SA Rugby Academy Camps:
Strength & Conditioning Camp (30 October to 7 November):
Sphephelo Mbonambi, Bradley Stanfliet (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yaseen Arendse, Luca Bakkes, Adam de Waal, Andre Goedhals (all DHL Western Province), Sibabalwe Mahashe, Thabang Mphafi (both Fidelity ADT Lions), Tylor Sefoor (Toyota Cheetahs), Michail Damon, Liam Koen, Phillip-Albert van Niekerk (all Vodacom Bulls).
Assessment Camp (8 to 30 November)
Ethan Bester, Litelihle Bester, Thomas Dyer, Matthew Fick, Jurenzo Julius, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Nicolas Snyman, Bradley Stanfliet (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luca Bakkes, Joshua Boulle, Adam de Waal, Andre Goedhals, Joel Leotlela, Asad Moos, Zachary Porthen (all DHL Western Province), Reno Hirst, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Thabang Mphafi, Thurlon Williams (all Fidelity ADT Lions), Tylor Sefoor (Toyota Cheetahs), Caleb Abrahams, Casper Badenhorst, Keanu Coetzee, Michail Damon, Benjamin Heydenrych, Alfondso Isaacs, Liam Koen, Mbasa Maqubela, Lukas Meyer, Steven Nel, Juan Smal, JF van Heerden, Phillip-Albert van Niekerk (all Vodacom Bulls).
Three additional players from DHL Western Province received part-time invitations for further evaluation and potential integration: Grant de Jager, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Bruce Sherwood.
Tight Five Camp (11 to 15 December):
Bradley Stanfliet (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yaseen Arendse, Luca Bakkes, Adam de Waal, Andre Goedhals, Zachary Porthen (all DHL Western Province), Reno Hirst, Thabang Mphafi, Sibabalwe Mahashe (all Fidelity ADT Lions), Keanu Coetzee, Benjamin Heydenrych, Juan Smal, Mbasa Maqubela (all Vodacom Bulls), Ruan Swart (SWD Eagles).
A study conducted among advanced cancer patients in Soweto has found that most patients who received palliative care and are at the end of life have spiritual needs beyond regular prayers from spiritual leaders.
Furthermore, patients who received religious or spiritual care had less physical pain, used less morphine and had higher odds of dying where they wished than those who did not.
The study involving 233 participants was conducted by a team of local and international experts led by Wits researchers.
Lead researcher Dr Mpho Ratshikana-Moloko from the Centre for Palliative Care in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits University says that previous research has shown that religion and spirituality are important to most patients facing life-threatening illnesses. However, this study probed further.
Using the African Palliative Care Association Palliative Outcome Scale, the research confirmed previous international findings that nearly 98% of the participants had a religious or spiritual need.
The most common spiritual need expressed by patients in Soweto was “seeking a closer connection with their God” and “forgiveness for sins”, says Ratshikana-Moloko.
This finding is significant because it calls on faith leaders to provide relevant support that responds to the needs of patients. This research-led intervention empowers leaders to move beyond prayer, explains Ratshikana-Moloko.
“This is the first study to assess the spiritual and religious needs, and religious and spirituality care provided to advanced cancer patients who received palliative care in Soweto,” says Ratshikana-Moloko.
Since the study was concluded in 2018, Wits University has developed a course in Spiritual and Chaplaincy in Palliative Care. The first cohort of faith leaders from all religious backgrounds was completed in September 2023.
Palliative Care to increase
Palliative care is one of the key pillars in illness management among terminally ill patients who are judged by a specialist physician as unlikely to benefit from curative-intent therapy. Often, patients are unlikely to survive beyond six months.
The South African National Policy Framework and Strategy for Palliative Care (2017–2022) incorporates spirituality into health care. However, palliative care services in South and Southern Africa and elsewhere rarely address these needs, despite available policies, guidelines and evidence.
“We must implement what we know. Integrating spiritual care within the clinical care setting is recommended,” Ratshikana-Moloko.
South Africa faces a heavy burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. One in six deaths globally is due to cancer, and cancer diagnoses are expected to increase by 70% in the next two decades, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
“Failure to identify and address the religious and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients may increase distress and suffering,” Ratshikana-Moloko.
Motoring manufacturer ISUZU Motors South Africa has thrown its weight behind the South African Women’s Hockey Team.
Marketing Executive Ziphindiwe Ngcobo, says: “We are thrilled to support the South African Women’s Hockey Team on their journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their dedication and core values of passion, pride, unity, and resilience align closely with ISUZU’s own ethos, and we believe this partnership will not only boost the team’s performance but also inspire aspiring female athletes across the country.”
The SA Women’s Hockey Team is a symbol of excellence and determination. The team is well-prepared to be #BoldBeyondtheField to secure their qualification. Their journey promises to be filled with passion for the sport, pride in their nation, unity within the team, and resilience in the face of fierce competition.
The South African Women’s Hockey Team have consistently demonstrated their passion for the game, pride in representing the nation and unwavering resilience in the face of challenges.
Co-captain of the South African Women’s Hockey Team, Erin Christie, expressed her gratitude for ISUZU’s support: “We are honoured to have ISUZU Motors South Africa as our partner as we embark on this journey to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I believe that ISUZU will play a massive role in our Olympic journey. As a team, we did not want to go to the games and just participate – we wanted to go there and compete. We want to inspire young female sportswomen and the generations who will wear our shirts after us.”
ISUZU’s commitment to sports in South Africa goes beyond this partnership. It is a proud sponsor of several sporting properties including IRONMAN South Africa, ATC Multisport, the Vodacom Bulls, Bulls Daisies, Move The Nation Race and the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer.
“We invite South Africa to rally behind the SA Women’s Hockey team as they embark on this journey to fulfil their Olympic dream. The support of the nation will be an additional source of inspiration for the players as they face formidable opponents from across the continent,” says Ngcobo.
The NGO that looks mainly after white interests – AfriForum – has threatened a legal challenge against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill because it perceives the Bill as a ‘direct attack against Afrikaans education’.
On Thursday AfriForum joined various other organisations and political parties in front of Parliament to protest against the Bill.
In a statement AfriForum said since 2017, it has been objecting to aspects of the Bill that will take away parents’ decision-making powers on language and admission policies of their children.
“The organisation views the Bill as a direct attack against Afrikaans education, which will have extremely negative consequences for quality education in Afrikaans single-medium schools in particular, but ultimately also for all South African schools.
“The Bill will centralise more power in the incompetent hands of the State and render communities’ involvement in their schools by way of democratically elected governing bodies meaningless.
“Currently, the governing bodies have the right to make the final decision on schools’ language and admissions policies, but the bill proposes that this power should henceforth rest with the provincial heads of education, in other words with political appointments.
“It is being argued that this amendment is necessary to prevent discrimination against learners, but this is a blatant fabrication, as existing legislation provides for the necessary steps to put an end to discrimination, should it occur,” AfriForum said.
In terms of language policy, the bill provides that a school governing body will now be required to submit the language policy of a public school and any amendment thereof to the head of the Education Department for approval.
“It is unacceptable that political games are being played at the expense of the South African youth, and therefore, AfriForum will follow all possible national and international steps to oppose Bela.” AfriForum added.
The controversial Bill was passed at the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday and will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.
The BELA Bill proposes several changes to the South African Schools Act, including transferring control to the Education Department to determine a school’s language policies and curriculums.
The Bill dictates among others, that Grade R will now be the new compulsory school-starting age, and parents who fail to enrol their children for grade R will be formally penalised.
Some of the amendments include penalties for those found guilty of corporal punishment which is no longer allowed at schools.
The Bill further provides that Sign Language has the status of an official language for purposes of learning at a public school. And that the language policy must also consider the language needs of the broader community.
The BELA Bill also bans the consumption or possession of alcohol on public school premises or during any public school activity unless permission has been sought from the Head of Department, and then only under strict conditions.”
It has been heavily criticised by opposition parties, including the DA, ACDP, and Freedom Front Plus.
A Life Sciences teacher at Protea Heights Academy in Brackenfell, Western Cape, Dr Mariette Wheeler, has been selected as a Top 10 finalist for the prestigious 2023 Global Teacher Prize.
Wheeler was selected from over 7 000 nominations and applications from 130 countries around the world.
The Western Cape Education department (WCED) congratulated Wheeler and said her dedication to education and making a difference in the lives of her learners has put her where she is.
Wheeler said that she appreciated all the support and considered it an honour to represent Protea Heights Academy, the WCED and the country at the awards ceremony in Paris on 8 November.
“Teachers matter and teachers do so much for the youth of our country, not just in igniting curiosity but also in being there for our learners,” Wheeler said.
WC Education MEC David Maynier congratulated Wheeler on her award and said candidates for the Global Teacher Prize were judged on a rigorous set of criteria to identify an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession of teaching.
“To have a Western Cape teacher in the Top 10 is a real testament to the quality of teaching taking place in our province,” Maynier said.
The Global Teacher Prize is an annual $1 million award by the global educational charity, Varkey Foundation, to a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.
The Prize, which has been referred to by some as the Nobel Prize for teaching highlights and celebrates the profession while giving greater recognition to the work of teachers all over the world.
Nominations of teachers who meet specific criteria are open to the worldwide public, with judging being done by the Global Teacher Prize Academy, consisting of head teachers, education experts, commentators, journalists, public officials, tech entrepreneurs, company directors, and scientists from around the world.
This follows on from the National Teachers’ Awards which was held at the Hatfield Christian Church in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria earlier this month.
The EFF Student Command (EFFSC) President Sihle Lonzi has threatened to open a fraud and corruption case against NSFAS and called for people who were involved in the stealing of the money to be arrested.
“We want to see all those involved in this to be arrested not only to be removed in position but to put on Orange overall.”
Lonzi was speaking at EFF’s Winnie Madikizela Mandela’s House on Thursday a day after NSFAS fired its CEO Andile Nongogo, fingered by the SIU for fraud and irregularities in the awarding of R47 billion contracts to direct payment service providers.
He questions the NSFAS board’s decision in allowing those accused of malfeasance to explain themselves instead of taking action against them for theft.
He also questioned why the contracts of the implicated service providers were not terminated with immediate effect.
“Why are the contracts being terminated in the future and not now?”
Lonzi said the EFF is happy the students’ demonstrations have paid off and the contracts of the service providers have been terminated, while pointing out that the EFFSC has won 16 university SRC leadership positions.
“This shows that we have a majority, and sends a strong message to the ANC that we will remove you from the union building in next year’s general elections”.
Nongogo was fired and the four contractors he appointed to disburse student funding are being terminated after a report by legal firm Werkmans Attorneys and advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, found that not only did he play a role in handpicking the companies, but he had direct links with some of the companies from his previous job as CEO of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services Seta).
The report also found that Nongogo appointed Dr George Chirwa, who has links with eZaga Holdings and its subsidiary eZaga Remit; Africawide Consulting, and Africawide Foundation as technical advisor.
eZaga and Tenet Technology have denied the allegations made against them, claiming to not have received the full report in which these were made.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is ready to start with the National Senior Certificate examinations from 30 October to 5 December, with CAT and IT rewrites taking place on 6 December.
This was confirmed by Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, who highlighted some of the initiatives the department has taken to ensure learners’ preparedness for the exams.
Chiloane was speaking at a ceremony at Ponelopele Oracle Secondary School in Johannesburg on Monday, where he outlined the province’s readiness for the exams and also gave an update on the status of the 2024 online admission for Grades 1 and 8.
“We have done a lot to ensure that we support our matriculants this year,” Chiloane said. “We continued with our Secondary School Improvement Programmes, mainly targeting schools that are struggling, Section 68B [the non-exclusion of learners from schools], as well as our township schools.”
Chiloane warned NSC candidates to not be disruptive during exams because those found breaking the rules will be removed immediately from the examination centres and banned from continuing with the exams.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said the focus for this year’s exams is on credibility, integrity, efficiency and ensuring there are no technical irregularities.
He reiterated Chiloane’s warning that candidates found cheating will be barred from writing future examinations.
Mabona said 191,181 candidates have registered to write the examinations. Of these, 132 561 are full-time candidates and 58,620 are part-time repeat candidates.
There are a total of 1,015 examination centres, which include 738 public centres, 277 independent centres, and 93 centres for part-time/repeater candidates. A total of 16 new centres have been activated and registered with the department.
Mabona said candidates were helped by participating in the Secondary School Improvement Programme (SSIP) from September to October this year. Candidates were taken to SSIP residential camps for 12 weeks, where they were extensively coached on different subjects.
During training, special attention was paid to checking learners’ IDs to eliminate imposters.
Students will not be allowed to take cell phones into the exam centres, and the GDE has said that wristwatches will also not be allowed to eliminate all possible means by which learners could access and/or share information digitally and online while writing their examinations.
High-level security mechanisms remain in place and have been augmented to mitigate any leaks of question papers, including strict adherence to norm times when collecting and returning examination material before and after every exam.
The department has appointed service providers to augment security for the duration of the examinations, including armed escorts, response units, and CCTV cameras.
Regarding possible load-shedding, Mabona said exam centres that did not have generators would procure or rent generators to avoid any disruptions that may result from power cuts.
“The Department has also leased generators to ensure that backup power is available during load-shedding to allow for key processes such as marking and capturing to proceed,” Mabona said.
THE Universities South Africa (Usaf) – a membership organisation representing the country’s public universities – has requested an investigation of Nsfas staff members to determine possible involvement in the awarding of contracts for the direct payment system.
Usaf CEO Phethiwe Matutu said the Usaf Board was watching with interest, the outcome of the processes concerning Nsfas CEO Andile Nongogo and the disciplinary enquiry pertaining to staff involved in wrongdoing.
The funding scheme board on Tuesday confirmed Nongogo’s immediate dismissal, following his submissions regarding his conduct.
Calls for the probe into staff collusion in awarding of the tender comes after the scrapping of the controversial eZaga payment system, together with Coinvest, Tenet Technologies and Norraco Corporation, by the Nsfas board last week.
The board found a conflict of interest in the appointment of some of the services providers who received the funding scheme’s direct payment system tender.
Last week the Nsfas board briefed the media in Pretoria on the system and allegations made against Nongogo.
Nongogo was placed on a leave of absence earlier this year, following the Nsfas board’s investigation into the allegations made against him, with board chairperson Ernest Khosa confirming that Nongogo actively participated in the presentations to the bidding committee.
In addition to Nongogo’s investigation and a probe into possible employee involvement, Matutu said that Nsfas supply chain management also needed to be reviewed.
Matutu said the membership organisation was supportive of the decision taken by the Nsfas board to look at the issues and to accept the recommendations of the report, which was investigating these four service providers.
“We categorically equate the success of Nsfas to the success of the entire post-school education and training sector, given the reported wide reach of the scheme to 1,1 million students in 2023. It is therefore imperative that NSFAS restores the administration of student processes to normality,” Matutu concluded.
Tenet Technologies has expressed its intention at possible legal action against the state, with CEO Ryan Passmore saying that they had not been informed of any damning allegations or cancellation by the scheme board.
“We are not aware of any damning findings, and neither have we been accused of any wrongdoing. We are not aware of anything other than the media reports of a cancellation. We will, however, challenge any cancellation that is unlawful and without cause,” Passmore said.
