Latest news with #R9.5
IOL News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
How austerity measures are undermining education rights in South Africa
Breadline Africa says there's no excuse for any child in South Africa to still be using a pit latrine at school. Image: Supplied The rights of pupils in government schools in South Africa are being violated, while the years of austerity measures implemented by the National Treasury have devastatingly affected the quality, accessibility, and equity of education across the country. The National Teachers Union (Natu) stated that 'education is a right, not a budget line'. Natu general secretary Doctor Ngema said the constitutional right to basic education, enshrined in Section 29 of the Constitution, is systematically eroded. Ngema said during the 2023/24 financial year, over 23,000 posts in provincial education departments across the country were cut, with the total number of unfilled but funded vacancies exceeding 46,000. 'This has led to dangerously overcrowded classrooms, where learners are deprived of individual attention and teachers are stretched beyond capacity. Due to years of budget cuts, we now face chronic underfunding and infrastructural decay, resulting in many schools having dilapidated classrooms and a lack of basic amenities such as toilets and electricity,' he said. Earlier this year, more than 2,400 teacher posts were cut in the Western Cape, resulting in legal action against the Department of Education in the province. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Sadtu said the austerity measures and budget cuts have resulted in overcrowded classrooms that hinder effective teaching and learning. The lack of substitute teachers has increased the workload for the remaining educators, negatively impacting their health. In May, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the provincial education sector baseline over the 2025 MTEF is R1.04 trillion, and R9.5 billion will be added over the medium term to keep teachers in classrooms and hire more staff. Godongwana said an additional R10 billion has been added to the baseline as announced during the March 12 Budget to expand access to early education. The minister said this will increase the ECD subsidy from R17 per child per day to R24. The extra funding will also support increased access to ECD for 700,000 more children, up to the age of five years. Public interest law centre, Section27, said building a nation starts in classrooms, and the Budget marks a significant shift from years of harsh austerity. While not without gaps, this Budget reflects pressure from communities and civil society to put the people of South Africa at the centre of South Africa's budget priorities. For Budget 3.0 to mark a real turning point, its promises must be delivered, especially at the provincial level, where services are meant to reach people. The centre said the education sector has experienced chronic underfunding, with per-learner spending declining in real terms over the past decade. 'This year's allocation to Basic Education rises from R325 billion to R347 billion - a 6.7% nominal increase, translating to a real increase of 2.6% after inflation.' While Section27 welcomed this as the largest basic education increase in years, the centre said it follows a period of sustained underfunding. 'As a result, this allocation alone is not enough to fully address overcrowded classrooms, infrastructure backlogs, and chronic teacher shortages in public schools.' According to the centre, per pupil, government spending will increase nominally from 2024/25's R24,230.58 to R25,669.53 in 2025/26. 'However, once adjusted for inflation, per learner spending will actually decline to R23,755.34 in 2025/26 - highlighting the ongoing erosion of real investment.' Natu stated that the promises to improve infrastructure have not materialised, leaving pupils in unsafe and undignified conditions. Last month, Breadline Africa, a non-profit organisation that has launched a nationwide campaign to eradicate pit toilets in schools, warned that more than 500,000 pupils are estimated to still rely on dangerous and unhygienic pit toilets at their schools in various parts of the country. The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) said progress has been slow in eliminating pit toilets in South African schools. Unfortunately, some pupils have lost their lives because of pit toilets, which continue to put other pupils in danger if not eradicated, it said. 'To push the government for urgent intervention in eradicating pit latrines, Fedusa would like the government and responsible departments to think of the families of the 5-year-old Viwe Jali from the Luna Primary School in Bizana, Eastern Cape Province, who fell into a pit latrine on 12 March 2018 and passed away, Michael Komape who fell into a pit toilet at his school on 20 January 2014, and drowned, and Langalam Viki, a 3-year-old who died after falling into a pit toilet at Mcwangele Primary School in Vaalbank village in the Eastern Cape, 6 March 2023.' While acknowledging the Sanitation Appropriate for Education initiative (SAFE) by the Department of Basic Education, Fedusa believes more can be done to address the issue. Robert Erasmus, managing director of Sanitech, a portable toilet hire company, said that the slow rate of pit latrine eradication in South African schools is attributed to budgetary, logistical, and infrastructural challenges. 'Funding allocation at a provincial level often sees delays in execution due to bureaucratic red tape, complex tender processes, and financial mismanagement,' he said. Erasmus said many affected schools are located in remote, rural areas where finding reputable contractors is a challenge. 'Local municipalities also struggle with procurement processes that require locally sourced resources, further delaying progress,' he said. Despite these challenges, Erasmus said innovative sanitation technologies offer hope and provide safer and more hygienic alternatives to traditional pit latrines. He said the Khusela unit features a rotating bowl, a replaceable bladder to prevent waste exposure, and microbiological products that treat waste while eliminating odours. Its elliptical shape optimises space and waste containment, making it ideal for schools. 'This solution also aims to ensure safety and dignity, especially for school environments where tragic incidents have occurred,' he said. Given the government's slow progress, Erasmus said the private sector must step up to bridge the gap. He said in 2022, South African companies allocated R10.9 billion to Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, with half of these funds directed toward education. 'By channelling a portion of this budget to sanitation infrastructure, corporates can expedite the eradication of pit latrines while enhancing their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings,' said Erasmus. According to Erasmus, CSI initiatives offer the advantage of bypassing bureaucratic hurdles, allowing for faster implementation. Businesses can guarantee successful project implementation by partnering with trusted sanitation companies, he said. For example, the Khusela unit offers a budget-friendly and functional improvement as it is adaptable for use with current Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines. 'Eradicating pit latrines in South African schools requires a multi-faceted approach. While the government must fulfil its commitment to replacing these facilities by the proposed deadlines, the urgency of the situation calls for immediate action. Corporate South Africa, through CSI initiatives, can play a pivotal role in accelerating progress. By investing in innovative, cost-effective solutions, businesses can ensure that no child has to risk their life or dignity to attend school,' said Erasmus. The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) stated that Section 34(1) of Chapter 4 of the South African Schools' Act, (Act 84 of 1996) states: 'The State must fund public schools from public revenue on an equitable basis in order to ensure the proper exercise of the rights of learners to education and the redress of the past inequalities in education provision.' In addition, the union said Section 28(2) of the SA Constitution further affirms that a child's best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child. With regard to the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act (Act No. 32 of 2024), Theresa Michael, a key advocate in the Afrika Tikkun Bambanani initiative, believes that the BELA Bill presents an opportunity to create a stronger and more inclusive early learning system in the country. The BELA Bill, which amends the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the Employment of Educators Act of 1998, aims to improve school governance and management by addressing compulsory schooling, admissions, language policies, and home-schooling regulations. Michael said that by enforcing national standards and ensuring accountability, the Bela Act can drive improvements in the quality of education that young children receive. 'Our work in upskilling practitioners and equipping centres aligns with the need for structured, high-quality early learning environments. If implemented effectively, this act can help bridge the gap between policy and practice, ultimately benefiting the youngest learners,' she said. Similarly, Tessa Forman, who has been at the forefront of empowering practitioners through training and mentorship at the organisation, sees the BELA Act as a catalyst for meaningful change. 'Many ECD centres operate without the necessary oversight, leading to inconsistencies in teaching quality and resource allocation. The act, if supported with the right implementation strategies, could provide much-needed standardisation and support. At Afrika Tikkun Bambanani, we have witnessed the transformative power of structured training and curriculum implementation. If the government aligns its efforts with organisations like ours, we can ensure that every child gets a fair start in life,' she said. The youth of 2025 are facing challenges with dilapidated classrooms, school infrastructure, and a lack of basic amenities such as toilets, electricity, and safe classrooms. Image: File
The South African
12-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
The quiet Western Cape towns South Africans are semigrating to
If you were wondering where South Africans are semigrating to in 2025, it seems the Western Cape's smaller, country towns are becoming quite popular. According to BusinessTech and property experts from Seeff Property Group, country towns across the Western Cape are experiencing a surge in demand for property as more South Africans wish to opt out of busy city life. This semigration trend was seen, in particular, amongst remote workers, retirees, and families looking for quieter and safer lifestyles. Some of the most popular Western Cape country towns include Barrydale, Bonnievale, Ladismith, Swellendam, Pearly Beach, Riversdale, Gansbaai, Still Bay and Struisbaai. BusinessTech also reported data that showed that over 8 000 property transactions worth nearly R9.5 billion occurred across the Cape countryside last year, with an estimated 90% of these sales coming in under R1.5 million per transaction. 'We're seeing strong interest from all over the country, with nearly 60% of buyers from Gauteng,' Anet Rossouw from Seeff noted, as per BusinessTech . Another 10 percent are from the other South African provinces, with the rest of the buyers being from the Western Cape itself, looking for second homes or future retirement homes. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
MK party wants full disclosure over R9.5bn battery storage projects
Electricity Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa praised Mulilo Energy as a "great South African success story". The MK party says it wants full disclosure of bid adjudication records after a multi-billion energy tender was awarded to a company headed by former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter's right-hand man, Jan Oberholzer. On Friday, Electricity Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa announced the appointment of five preferred bidders under the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). De Ruyter's right-hand man Mulilo Energy, chaired by Oberholzer, the Chief Operating Officer of Eskom and Scatec, was awarded five large battery storage projects in the Free State to develop 616 MW / 2,464 MWh of new battery storage capacity for R9.5 billion. Oberholzer was appointed chairperson of Mulilo in September 2023, just two months after leaving Eskom as COO. Out of the five available projects, four were awarded to Mulilo Energy Mulio Energy was founded in 2008 by property developer Johnny Cullum and racing driver Chris Aberdein after a conversation about load shedding. Both remain on Mulilo's board. ALSO READ: Eskom denies reports of 14-hour load shedding next month MK party not happy Ramokgopa praised Mulilo at Friday's announcement as a 'great South African success story' that shows the country can stand tall globally. However, the MK party wants transparency in the bidding process MK party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said they have written to Ramokgopa demanding full disclosure of the bid adjudication records within seven days. 'The uMkhonto weSizwe party is blowing the lid off what appears to be one of the most blatant acts of javelin throwing in post-apartheid public procurement, this time under the green veil of 'renewable' energy. 'Should the Minister fail to comply, the MK party will immediately approach the courts to interdict and suspend these contracts,' Ndhlela said. 'Billions' Ndhlela said 'this is no longer about megawatts. 'This is about the billions being funnelled out of our country under the false flag of progress, and the MK Party will not stand by and watch our state-owned entities being handed over to corrupt white monopoly capital interests'. The Battery Energy Storage Programme is a critical initiative aimed at enhancing South Africa's power system by providing essential ancillary services and increasing grid capacity through energy storage. Projects Other awarded projects located in the Free State will include: Erfdeel BESS (123MW/ 492MWh) Retreat BESS (123MW/ 492MWh) Bloemhoek BESS (124MW/ 496MWh) Vanilla BESS (123MW/ 492MWh) The BESIPPPP Bid Window 3 was launched on 28 March 2024, with bids submitted on 28 November 2024. Ramokgopa said the evaluation process was conducted by an Independent Bid Evaluation Committee 'under strict security measures, took place at the IPP Office.' ALSO READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here's how many days of load shedding to expect in SA
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How Mulilo and Scatec are transforming SA's power grid with a R9. 5 billion battery storage bid
nister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced Mulilo and Scatec as the preferred bidders Image: Jairus Mmutle/GCIS Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced Mulilo and Scatec as the preferred bidders for the country's third bid window of the battery energy storage program. The program aims to help increase the country's electricity grid capacity and improve energy security. Last month, IOL reported that Ramokgopa announced a plan to address the country's ongoing energy crisis through private sector involvement in transmission infrastructure development. He explained that the existing transmission network was unable to keep up with the country's growing renewable energy generation, particularly in areas such as the Northern and Western Cape. The battery storage program, initiated in March 2024, is designed to store excess electricity generated primarily from solar power during the day and release it during peak demand times in the morning and evening. In a press briefing on Friday, Ramokgopa confirmed that South African company Mulilo and Norwegian company Scatec have been chosen as the preferred bidders. 'For the site, the substation, that is Lienda, we have Scatec, who is a preferred developer. For Theseus, Everest, Harvard, and Merapi, we're happy to announce that Mulilo, which is a domestic outfit, has been identified as a preferred bidder.' 'I think what is significant about this round that we are announcing is that we are seeing that more and more South African companies are putting their hand up, and they are very competitive.' The program is expected to add 616 megawatts of battery storage capacity across five sites in the Free State province. Ramokgopa added that this investment will total R9.5 billion, including R3.7 billion in local content, supporting the country's economy by creating jobs and encouraging black ownership. The projects are expected to start commercial operations by January 2028. He further stressed the benefits for consumers and industries, adding that the country was making progress towards energy security. 'Once we bring down the cost of electricity, households won't face runaway tariff increases, and businesses will be more competitive. "This battery storage program is part of South Africa's broader plan to increase renewable energy while keeping coal as the backbone of the grid. We are making steady progress toward energy security and a greener future.' he said. IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SIU is not done with NLC yet, as more corruption allegations emerge
The SIU is on phase three of its investigations, scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2025. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says its work at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is not yet done. SIU head Andy Mothibi on Tuesday briefed the standing committee on public accounts on the investigation into the NLC. In November 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate the NLC and recover any losses. ALSO READ: NLC rolls out lifestyle audits, anti-fraud initiatives 'to rebuild trust' The SIU divided its investigations into three phases. The estimated value of the matters investigated in the first and second phases is R279.7 million and R246.6 million, respectively. The SIU has completed investigations in these phases. Phase three, which is ongoing, has an estimated value of R905.9 million. It has an estimated date of completion of 31 December 2025. The value of contracts under investigation with potential civil litigation is about R2 billion. However, the SIU has recovered only R9.5 million of this. ALSO READ: NLC heist: SIU almost done with second phase of R1.4bn NLC corruption probe The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has issued preservation orders amounting to R78.2 million, while the Special Tribunal's preservation orders stand at R37.3 million. At least R6.3 million in pension has been frozen. SIU probe into NLC According to Mothibi, between 2020 and 2024, 22 individuals and entities were referred to the NPA for criminal prosecution related to fraud, corruption and money laundering. At least 15 persons have been identified as alleged key players in the NLC corruption, including the former board chair, Alfred Nevhutanda, who has approached the courts in an attempt to get the SIU off his back and former chief operations officer Phillemon Letwaba, who is challenging the constitutionality of the Special Tribunal's preservation order against him. ALSO READ: NLC spends over R8 million on suspended employees facing disciplinary action According to the SIU, the key players were allegedly able to access NLC funds due to inadequate project management, a lack of monitoring and evaluation, ineffective project auditing techniques, general maladministration in the approval of the grants and corrupt elements. Seven directors and 14 companies have been referred to the CIPC for being placed on the delinquency list and for being barred from registering companies with the CIPC in the future. But the SIU is not done with the NLC yet. Mothibi told parliament the unit has drafted a motivation for a proclamation after receiving several procurement allegations The motivation will be submitted to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for further processing. The SIU has also submitted the first Presidential progress report to the Presidency. NOW READ: Accounting firms compiled fraudulent financial statements for NPOs – SIU on NLC corruption
