Showdown Outside Durban School Over Places for Immigrant Children
But it appears overcrowding is the main reason why children – both South Africans and immigrants – have not been placed
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Tell Your Mama We Made It” – A 20th-Anniversary Love Letter Sparks a 5-Song Journey From Intimate Love to National Healing
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 14 January 2026 – After 25 years of writing songs in private, investment banker Sam Mokorosi is finally ready to be heard. He announces his entrance into the music scene with a conceptual five-single series launching with “Tell Your Mama We Made It”—a triumphant anthem born as a gift for his …
Minister Lamola Leads African Union Ad-Hoc Committee of Five (C5) Visit to South Sudan
Minister Ronald Lamola has arrived in Juba, leading a High-Level African Union Ad-hoc Committee of Five (C5) Visit to South Sudan from 14 to 15 January 2026. He is leading the delegation in his capacity as the Chairperson.
This visit is a follow-up to the previous C5 Ministerial Visit to Juba, which took place exactly a year ago.
The visit serves as a precursor to a Peace and Security Council (PSC) Meeting of the African Union, scheduled for 19 January 2026, which will assess the situation in South Sudan. It also precedes the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the proposed C5 Plus Summit, which will convene on the margins of the AU Assembly from 14 to 15 February 2026.
The year 2026 marks a pivotal moment for South Sudan, as the country is earmarked to hold its first-ever elections since gaining independence from Sudan in July 2011. The role of the C5 is to oversee the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
South Sudan is currently led by a Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity, with elections expected to be held in December 2026.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Young Conservationists Take the Lead at Crocworld’s WildEd Holiday Camp
The WildED Holiday Camp concluded a successful week at Crocworld Conservation Centre over the school holidays, giving young adventurers a hands-on introduction to conservation, outdoor skills, and teamwork. Hosted at the WildED Learning Hub by experienced camp leaders, the programme saw youngsters participate in orienteering challenges, a hike to Green Point Lighthouse, and real-world conservation …
How a Cape Town Company Is Creating Sustainable Carbon-Negative Building Systems
CNN’s Innovate series tells the stories behind business ideas, technological developments, and entrepreneurial breakthroughs reshaping our world. Noncrete is a Cape Town-based company pioneering safer, stronger, and more sustainable carbon-negative building systems. Founders Stephen Lamb and Andrew Lord are at the forefront of decarbonising construction through biomass technology. Lord talks about their idea, “It becomes …
What to Expect as Nigeria Gets Ready to Regulate AI
Lawmakers in Abuja are moving to pass the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, a comprehensive regulatory framework that will […]
50 Years Strong: St Benedict’s Tradition of Excellence Continues With Best-Ever Distinction Ratio
72 distinctions per boy from the Class of 2025 Group average of 73.7% Six boys achieve 90% and above St Benedict’s College is proud to announce a historic milestone as its matriculants achieve their 50th year of a 100% pass rate, demonstrating once again the College’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The 124 learners of …
Parents Close Komani School
Toilets at the primary school in Komani have not functioned for six years
Outsourced CFO Announces Support for Businesses Managing January Cash Flow Pressures
Outsourced CFO announces renewed January support for businesses facing seasonal cash flow pressures, highlighting the importance of financial visibility, accurate forecasting and timely decision-making. The firm’s CFO and cloud accounting services help organisations stabilise cash flow, manage uncertainty and plan confidently for the year ahead. Cape Town – 14 January 2026 – Outsourced CFO …
Why the Healthy Veganuary Trend Is Something We Should All Try in 2026
After the indulgence of the festive season, many want to start the New Year with healthy eating habits. While some turn to strict eating plans, there may be a simpler way. Veganuary is a trend that originated in the UK, which challenges participants to avoid animal products for January to fully appreciate a plant-based diet. …
Motion to Rename PW Botha Boulevard Submitted
The GOOD Party has officially submitted a motion in terms of Rule 19 of the George Municipality Rules of Order, calling for the renaming of PW Botha Boulevard. The motion, moved by Councillor Chantelle Kyd, seeks to remove the public honour bestowed upon an apartheid-era leader whose legacy is defined by repression and the denial of fundamental human rights.
The post GOOD PARTY SUBMITS MOTION TO RENAME PW BOTHA BOULEVARD: A STEP TOWARD JUSTICE AND SOCIAL COHESION IN GEORGE appeared first on For Good.
Crocworld Opens Bookings for an Unforgettable 2026 Valentine’s Day Dinner
It’s never too early to start planning a memorable Valentine’s Day evening, and Fish Eagle Café at Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh has designed the perfect evening for couples looking to celebrate love in style this year. For 14 February, the Fish Eagle Café is putting together its Valentine’s Day Romantic Dinner & Dance, blending …
Foot-And-Mouth Disease: State of Disaster Request Begins
After the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) on Monday called for a state of disaster to be declared in response to the widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen, today announced that he will table this request with the next Cabinet meeting. It would unlock additional resources to combat the […]
The post Foot-and-mouth disease: state of disaster to follow, as VF Plus requested appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Basic Education Committee Chairperson Wishes Learners Well for Start of New Academic Year
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, wishes learners, teachers, parents and education officials well as public schools reopen today for the 2026 academic year.
The Chairperson noted that the reopening of schools marks an important moment in the country's education calendar, particularly for learners entering Grade 1 and those in Grade 12. “For Grade 1 learners, this year signals the beginning of a lifelong learning journey, while for Grade 12 learners it represents the final and most critical phase of their schooling. We encourage parents, caregivers and families to support the learning of foundation phase learners from an early stage, as families share responsibility with educators for learners' development.” The Chairperson further encouraged the Class of 2026 to approach the year with discipline, resilience and determination.
The committee, however, remains concerned about ongoing challenges that may affect teaching and learning in KwaZulu-Natal. “We have noted worrying reports of delays and gaps in the delivery of learner teacher support material (LTSM) to no-fee-paying schools. This needs urgent attention to ensure that learning is not compromised from the start of the academic year.” She said the province performed exceptionally well in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examination by achieving the highest overall performance despite existing challenges. “We want to see KwaZulu-Natal continue on this positive trajectory.”
The committee is also concerned by reports that some schools in parts of Limpopo are unable to reopen due to damage caused by recent flooding. Ms Maimela called on the Department of Basic Education and provincial authorities to act promptly to support affected schools in the two districts and to put in place contingency measures to safeguard learners' right to education. “The committee intends to visit education districts in this province later this month, where it will be able to assess the measures put in place,” the Chairperson said.
The committee expressed concerns about the persistent challenge related to learner placements, particularly in provinces such as Gauteng and the Western Cape, where many learners remain without confirmed school placements at the start of the academic year. The Chairperson noted that urgent intervention is needed to ensure that all unplaced learners are accommodated without further disruption to their schooling.
Ms Maimela emphasised that every learner has a constitutional right to basic education. “No child should be excluded due to administrative delays, infrastructure shortages or inadequate planning.” She called on provincial education departments to strengthen coordination, improve admissions systems and ensure that temporary or alternative placements are implemented where necessary.
“The committee will continue to exercise oversight to ensure that all learners are provided with safe, functional schools and the necessary resources to succeed in 2026,” Ms Maimela said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Law Enforcement Officers Arrests Expose Deeper Failure in City’s Safety Governance
GOOD notes the arrest of two Law Enforcement officers by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit on 13 January 2026, following a corruption sting in Parow. The officers allegedly demanded a R3 000 bribe from a motorist instead of enforcing the law. We commend the members of the public who did the right thing and the Anti-Corruption Unit for acting decisively.
The post LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARRESTS EXPOSE DEEPER FAILURE IN DA-LED CITY’S SAFETY GOVERNANCE appeared first on For Good.
St Lucia Fishers Take Government to Court
Celempilo Mduli was shot dead by rangers while fishing at night. Five years later, his family is still seeking answers.
Hormones and Migraines: What’s the Connection?
Migraines are much more than “just headaches”. They’re a neurological condition that can cause severe, throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, along with nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and sometimes visual changes called auras. “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), migraines are one of the most disabling health conditions worldwide, …
SA removed from another ‘naughty list’, this time by the EU | SA News
Another bit of good news for SA this week was its removal from the European Union’s list of High-Risk Third Country Jurisdictions. This is a consequence of being removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2025, which rewarded the country for its much-improved efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. …
APO Group Partners with Kenyan Trend to Bring Pan-African News Content to East African audiences
APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is pleased to announce a strategic content partnership with Kenyan Trend (https://KenyanTrend.com/), a fast-growing digital news platform known for its strong focus on Kenyan and regional stories.
The agreement will see all press releases distributed by APO Group - including text, images, video, and audio - automatically published on Kenyan Trend, giving its audience direct access to high-quality, authoritative content from across the continent and beyond.
Kenyan Trend provides daily coverage of breaking news, politics, business, community affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, and emerging issues shaping the region. With a growing readership and a commitment to accessible, credible reporting, the platform has established itself as a trusted source for Kenyan audiences.
By joining APO Group's partner ecosystem, which includes more than 300 media organisations across Africa and globally, Kenyan Trend will:
- receive a continuous feed of premium, pan-African news content across key sectors;
- strengthen its editorial offering with multimedia-rich content that enhances engagement and readership; and
- benefit from increased visibility facilitated by Africa's leading press release distribution service.
Astone Lukoye Keya, Senior Editor at Kenyan Trend, said: “We are excited to partner with APO Group, a respected organisation that shares our commitment to credible, impactful journalism. This collaboration enables us to serve our readers even better by expanding the depth and diversity of our news coverage. It is an important step in strengthening our platform and connecting our audience to stories shaping Kenya and the wider continent.”
“This partnership supports both organisations' shared objective to promote accurate, timely, and meaningful African news. APO Group's access to prominent African and international media outlets translates into greater visibility, credibility, and impact for our clients and partners, enabling their content to reach a broader audience. We're proud to support Kenyan Trend in sharing Africa's positive stories,” added Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group.
This collaboration marks another step toward building a more connected African media landscape where local voices are elevated, quality journalism is prioritised, and African stories are distributed widely, reliably, and at scale.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.
Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com
Kenyan Trend Media Contacts:
Name: Astone Lukoye Keya
Position: Senior Editor
Email: astonlukoye@gmail.com
Phone: +254790851519
About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards.
APO Group's esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa's Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.
About Kenyan Trend:
Kenyan Trend is a fast-growing digital news and entertainment platform delivering timely, accurate, and engaging stories from Kenya and beyond. Focused on trending topics, lifestyle, entertainment, business, sports, and breaking news, Kenyan Trend provides readers with reliable updates in real time. With a commitment to clarity, credibility, and impactful storytelling, Kenyan Trend continues to shape conversations and connect audiences across the digital space.
Fraudsters Remain Active as South Africans Face New Year Financial Pressures
As South Africans return from the festive season with renewed energy, many households are confronted with the financial realities of a new year. For thousands of families, the beginning of the year is marked by registration fees, textbook purchases, and accommodation deposits for students entering universities and colleges. Yet, alongside this excitement, fraudsters are seizing …
Important deadline for employers in South Africa coming this week | SA News
Luke Fraser ·13 Jan 2026 The Department of Employment and Labour has warned designational employers that they have until Thursday, January 15 2026, to submit their annual Employment Equity (EE) Reports. The midnight deadline marks the first year since the amendment to the EE Act became law. The EE Act now requires designated employers to prepare and implement EE Plans …
South Africa’s true matric pass rate is 54.7% | SA News
Build One South Africa (BOSA) stated that the true matric pass rate is 54.7%, significantly lower than the official rate of 88%. On Monday, 12 January 2025, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, announced that South Africa’s official matric pass rate for the class of 2025 was 88%. This represented an improvement over the …
Matric results outage hits Department of Basic Education in South Africa | SA News
The Department of Basic Education’s website has buckled under the flood of Internet traffic caused by the class of 2025 matrics and their families looking up their results. Attempting to access the site resulted in an HTTP 503 “Service Unavailable” error. People have also reported that the option to receive their matric results via SMS …
Alta Semper Secures USD 57.5 Million from EIB Group and IFC for Growth Fund II to Expand Healthcare Access Across Africa
Alta Semper Capital LLP (“Alta Semper”), a London-based private equity firm focused on healthcare and consumer investments in high-growth markets, today announced that it has secured USD 57.5 million in commitments to Alta Semper Growth Fund II. These commitments come from a consortium of investors including the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the International …