Author: Nomthandazo Ntisa

South Africa’s education system faces a growing crisis: 464 public schools across the country no longer teach Mathematics. According to a written response from Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube to Parliament, KwaZulu-Natal leads with the highest number—135 schools—that have removed the subject from their curriculum. Instead, these schools only offer Mathematical Literacy, a less intensive alternative. ALSO READ: SASSA SRD Grant to Become Basic Income Grant Provinces with the Most Schools Without Mathematics The provincial breakdown reveals concerning patterns: Although Mathematical Literacy still forms part of the subject offering, the absence of core Mathematics limits future academic and career…

As South African learners return to class following a week-long school break, many parents and students are refocusing on the academic goals and schedules that lie ahead. Term 2, which officially resumed on Monday, 5 May 2025, is now in full swing with seven weeks remaining before schools close again for the winter holidays. According to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the second term ends on Friday, 27 June 2025, allowing for plenty of time for assessments, academic catch-ups, and continued learning before the third term begins in July. ALSO READ: Johannesburg Faces Power Strain: City Power Urges Residents…

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries could soon see their monthly R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant evolve into a permanent Basic Income Grant (BIG), according to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. Speaking in Freedom Park, Soweto, on Sunday, Mbalula addressed community members and clarified the ANC’s plans to formalize the SRD grant into a broader and more sustainable social support system. “The R350 that President Ramaphosa gave you is here to stay,” he stated. “But we are going to change it and establish the Basic Income Grant to support people until they find employment. Once you move on,…

City Power has urged residents and businesses to use power sparingly to avoid widespread outages and damage to critical infrastructure. With no public holidays in May and only one scheduled for June, energy consumption is expected to spike as South Africans return to full working weeks and prepare for colder winter months. City Power has labelled this period as “critical,” citing the strain on the grid due to increased usage. “The network remains under severe pressure. Any increase in consumption could lead to overloading and, subsequently, further outages,” the utility warned in a statement released on Sunday. ALSO READ: Panyaza…

Gauteng Premier and ANC provincial co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi has launched a decisive, multi-pronged action plan. This plan aims to tackle the province’s deepening service delivery crisis. Speaking at the conclusion of the ANC Gauteng Provincial Task Team lekgotla in Fourways, Lesufi outlined bold interventions. These interventions aim to reverse years of poor performance in housing, water supply, infrastructure, crime prevention, electricity, health, and education. The lekgotla, which followed national strategic planning sessions like the ANC NEC lekgotla, the State of the Nation Address (SONA), and the State of the Province Address (SOPA), brought together key decision-makers to chart a path…

Residents in Johannesburg should brace for planned water outages next week as Johannesburg Water conducts critical maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. The water utility has scheduled interruptions across multiple areas. These include Fleurhof and Orange Farm. Residents are expected to face low pressure or complete water cuts during the affected periods. ALSO READ: Gauteng Braces for Cold Front: Joburg Emergency Services Issue Winter Alert Tuesday, 6 May: Fleurhof to Experience 8-Hour Outage Johannesburg Water has announced that Fleurhof suburb will undergo an 8-hour water shutdown on Tuesday, 6 May, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. All streets in Fleurhof will be…

As Gauteng braces for a cold front, Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) have ramped up their readiness to respond swiftly to any incidents that may arise. A strong cold front is expected to sweep across the province starting Friday, prompting city officials and weather experts to issue safety alerts. ALSO READ: Today’s Weather Forecast – 2 May 2025 Cold Front Expected Across Gauteng According to Gauteng Weather, Johannesburg will face a significant chill with minimum temperatures around 10°C and highs reaching only 18°C. Pretoria won’t be spared either, with forecasts indicating a low of 11°C and a high of 20°C. Meteorologists…

South Africa’s Household Income and Spending: What the Stats SA 2022/23 Survey Reveals South Africa’s economic landscape has once again come under the spotlight with the release of the 2022/23 Income & Expenditure Survey (IES) by Statistics South Africa. The data paints a clear, if complex, picture of household income across the country and how they spend their money, and highlights the enduring inequalities that define South African society. From average income brackets to provincial disparities and racial economic gaps, the findings are as revealing as they are sobering. ALSO READ: 10 Ways To Make Money Online From Home South…

Key Dates, Schedules, and Tips to Beat The May-June Exam Stress Matriculants across South Africa are gearing up for one of the most crucial moments of their academic journey: the May-June 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exam sessions. With just days left before the first paper, it’s essential for pupils, parents, and teachers to familiarise themselves with the exam timetable, study plans, and mental health strategies. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 matric mid-year exam schedule—and how to manage the stress that comes with it. ALSO READ: Government Confirms Friday, 2 May…

Despite Workers’ Day falling on Thursday, 1 May 2025, the South African government has confirmed that Friday, 2 May, remains a normal working day. This clarification comes in response to a fake letter circulating on social media that falsely claimed President Cyril Ramaphosa had declared a national shutdown. ALSO READ: Special Week Off for South African Pupils in April/May 2025 Fake National Shutdown Letter Debunked The viral letter, which claimed to be an “official statement” from the Presidency, called for a “March & Mass Movement for a National Shutdown” on 2 May 2025. The document sparked confusion among South Africans,…