Deputy Minister Dr Mimmy Gondwe leads Intergovernmental crackdown on Bogus Colleges in Polokwane

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Deputy Minister Dr Mimmy Gondwe leads Intergovernmental crackdown on Bogus Colleges in Polokwane

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, together with the City of Polokwane Executive Mayor, Cllr Makoro John Mpe, will lead an Intergovernmental Bogus Colleges Awareness Campaign to crack down on illegal colleges in the Polokwane CBD on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

The Polokwane leg is the latest stop in a series of three Bogus Colleges Awareness campaigns launched to coincide with the start of the 2026 academic year, a period when most learners are applying for and confirming higher education placements. 

Two successful campaigns were held in the City of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane. 

The bogus colleges campaign is being carried out in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Employment and Labour, and relevant South African quality-assurance organisations.

As part of the programme, the Deputy Minister, accompanied by officials from DHET, SAPS, and other government departments, will conduct oversight visits to private colleges in Polokwane CBD to verify their registration status and programme accreditation.

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GOVERNMENT KEEN TO BUILD ON SUCCESS OF PREVIOUS INVESTMENT MOBILISATION DRIVE – MINISTER TAU

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GOVERNMENT KEEN TO BUILD ON SUCCESS OF PREVIOUS INVESTMENT MOBILISATION DRIVE – MINISTER TAU 

 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : KASIBC_AUDIO

South Africa is finally turning the corner on slow growth. Thanks to government’s pro-growth reformist agenda, green shoots are emerging in nearly all key sectors of the economy. 

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition stresses that the four consecutive quarters of growth recorded leading into early 2026 were a result of government led interventions - critical of which was government’s successful investment mobilisation drive. “Consistent energy supply, an improved transport and logistics environment including the drop in inflation to 3.5% recorded early this year have had a positive knock-on effect on key sectors of the economy. 

Mining and Agriculture have both shown strong growth – factors which bode well for sustained growth,” says Tau. He adds that to augment this growth, South Africa is scheduled to host the 6th Investment Conference (SAIC) at the Sandton Convention Centre on 31 March 2026. In line with the President’s commitment at the 2026 State of the Nation Address, this investment conference promises to set South Africa on an even bolder investment target over the medium term. “To date, over R600 billion has already flowed into the economy, resulting in the opening of new factories, mines, and various other industrial facilities. 

These investments play a critical role in South Africa’s national goals of socio-economic development by creating sustainable jobs, reducing poverty, and addressing inequality,” adds Tau. Launched in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the SAIC has become the country’s premier platform for attracting global and domestic delegates to discuss emerging opportunities. 

The 2026 conference occurs during a period of significantly improved investor perception. 

Over the last 18 to 24 months, several critical economic challenges have been addressed, most notably the improvement in the country’s energy reliability. 

Tau stresses that forthcoming conference will be anchored on South Africa’s new futurefocused economic and industrial policy including the targets in the Medium Term Development Plan, the Economic Growth and Inclusion (GAIN) programme and South Africa’s New Industrial Policy which is being finalised. Tau reinforced that the 6th SAIC will continue building on the achievements of the dtic family since the beginning of the 7th administration. “Over the past year and a half, we have implemented industrial reforms in targeted sectors and incentivised industry to create jobs. 

We have embarked on market and export diversification through our Butterfly Strategy and are redesigning Transformation through the Transformation Fund and B-BBEE policy review”, Tau emphasises. 

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THE PEOPLE’S MARCH IN DEFENCE OF OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND DEMOCRATIC GAINS

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THE PEOPLE’S MARCH IN DEFENCE OF OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND DEMOCRATIC GAINS 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The African National Congress calls on all peace loving and patriotic South Africans to join The People's March in Defence of Our Sovereignty and Democratic Gains, taking place on Saturday, 21 March 2026, Human Rights Day. 

This historic mobilisation will be led by the ANC together with our Alliance partners, the South African Communist Party (SACP), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU )and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), and will bring together business formations, labour, faith based organisations, civil society movements and all patriotic people of our nation. 

The main national event will take place in Johannesburg, Gauteng, with simultaneous marches and solidarity gatherings in eThekwini, KwaZulu Natal, East London, Eastern Cape, and Cape Town, Western Cape. 

Across our country, South Africans will rise in unity to defend the democratic gains secured through struggle and sacrifice. Human Rights Day is rooted in the blood of the martyrs of Sharpeville who died in struggle against the brutal and heinous apartheid system 66 years ago as part of the long journey to achieve this constitutional democracy. 

As we mark 30 years of the adoption of our Constitution, we reaffirm that the Bill of Rights remains the cornerstone of our democracy and the guardian of our freedoms and rights. 

The People's March is a peaceful mass action to defend the sovereignty of our Republic, protect our constitutional order and reaffirm the will of the people as the supreme authority in our land. 

South Africa is a sovereign democratic state with free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, a vibrant media and a constitutional commitment to transformation and redress. 

We gather in unity and solidarity to celebrate, nourish and strengthen our hard fought democracy, which was earned through the blood and sacrifices of our forebears whose ideals we dare not betray and will defend always. 

The message of this march is clear and solid that South Africa will not be bullied. We will not allow external pressure or internal opportunism to weaken our constitutional democracy. 

We will not allow our sovereignty to be compromised. We will not allow the sacrifices of our forebears to be diminished. 

The ANC calls on workers, youth, women, veterans of the struggle, professionals, entrepreneurs, religious leaders and community activists to stand side by side in defence of our democratic gains. 

This is a march for constitutionalism, for national dignity, for unity of our people and for the continued transformation of our society. 

Let us fill the streets peacefully, proudly as patriots on Saturday, 21 March 2026 to defend our sovereignty and defend our democratic gains. 

Let us stand together say with one voice and declare loudly that “We Will Not Be Bullied”. 

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CONDOLENCES TO THE MALEMA FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF MME MARTHA MOTLANALO MALEMA

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CONDOLENCES TO THE MALEMA FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF MME MARTHA MOTLANALO MALEMA 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : KASIBC_AUDIO

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) expresses its deep sadness and sorrow following the news of the passing of the Commander in Chief and President of the EFF, Julius Malema’s aunt, Mme Martha Motlanalo Malema. Mme Martha Malema was the last-born daughter of the late matriarch in the Malema family, Koko Sarah Malema, who gracefully left this earth on 4 May 2019. 

Born on 20 January 1972, Mme Martha was the embodiment of the love we have come to collectively experience from the Malema family. 

She was characterised by a deep sense of love not only for her family, but also for those in her community. Her love for her community is best expressed by her undying commitment to the EFF, of which she had been a staunch member in good standing since its formation in 2013. 

She played an important role in the growth and strength of the organisation in Ward 13, Seshego, a ward that is today led by an EFF councillor. Mme Martha Malema was entrusted with the upkeep, protection and warmth of the home of Koko Sarah, which became the ancestral, spiritual and social centre of the Malema family. 

She took on the role of being the mother of the Malema family by honouring her mother’s memory and ensuring that her children and grandchildren could always find a home in which to gather. 

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Limpopo Education suspends schooling in flood affected areas

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Limpopo Education suspends schooling in flood affected areas

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Limpopo Department of Education has as a precautionary measure, temporarily suspended schooling in several districts severely affected by persistent heavy rainfall and the risk of flash floods.

The Vhembe and Mopani districts remain the hardest hit, with many roads rendered impassable, effectively cutting off access to numerous schools. Compounding the situation, the Capricorn South and Waterberg districts have also reported incidents and structural concerns, which may further disrupt schooling if the heavy rains continue overnight.

To safeguard the lives of learners and educators, the department has taken a decisive step to suspend schooling for two days, Monday, 16 March, and Tuesday, 17 March in all affected areas.

The safety of learners and staff is a paramount concern. With reports of flooded roads and compromised building integrity, the suspension is a necessary measure to prevent any potential tragedies.

In addition to reported accessibility challenges, the department has received reports of leaking roofs and water damage in school buildings, which pose a direct safety risk. Furthermore, the department has noted with deep concern a spate of burglaries at schools during this disruptive period, with criminals targeting nutrition programme stockpiles and electronic equipment.

District offices have already communicated the suspension to all affected schools and circuit managers, who are in turn responsible for notifying parents and school governing bodies.

For clarity, parents and guardians seeking specific information on school status in their area should contact their school principals or the local circuit manager. Learners unable to sit for scheduled tests due to the flooding will be given an opportunity to write at a later date once normalcy is restored.

Parents are strongly urged not to allow or force learners to attempt crossing flooded bridges or swollen rivers to reach school. Learner safety is the priority.

The Department, in coordination with District Municipalities and disaster management teams, will continue to closely monitor the weather situation and its impact on school infrastructure and accessibility. A further update will be provided as conditions evolve.

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Gauteng's Land Release Programme a complete Failure - only 13,000 Stands delivered since 2020

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Gauteng's Land Release Programme a complete Failure - only 13,000 Stands delivered since 2020

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

Since 2020, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) has released only about 13,000 serviced stands - a figure that falls short of addressing Gauteng's growing housing demand.

The reality is that the department continues to underperform and that the Rapid Land Release Programme (RLRP) is not working. The release of 13,000 serviced stands barely scratches the surface. At the same time, the intended target of delivering 8644 homes in the current year is inconsequential when over 1 million Gauteng citizens remain on the housing waiting list.

The failure of the RLRP is evident in a reply by the Gauteng Human Settlements MEC, Tasneem Motara, to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The MEC revealed that the department had acquired 1045,02 hectares of land for R2 billion to develop 10,000 serviced stands, yet only 26 houses had been built on the land as of last year.

See reply here.

This situation raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the programme and compels us to challenge Premier Lesufi’s statement during the State of the Province Address where he claimed that R100 billion had allocated to human settlements in Gauteng. The Premier should account and explain how these funds have been spent, as there is nothing to show for them on the ground.

The biggest failure and disappointment remain the conceptualisation and implementation of the RLRP. The programme has, since September 2025, been placed on hold “for review and restructuring” after the MEC admitted that the programme was ineffective.

The continued ineffectiveness of the department to complete any of its core programmes in an environment of increased demand highlights the crisis facing the department.

The DA is therefore calling on the Premier and the MEC to urgently outline their vision and concrete plans to overcome these shortfalls and meaningfully address the province’s growing housing challenges.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would first assess the Human Settlements department’s capacity to implement the Rapid Land Programme and ensure its rollout follows a collaborative approach, involving all spheres of government, the National Treasury, and the private sector, rather than leaving the programme solely in the hands of the Human Settlements department.

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BMA SUSPENDS OPERATIONS AT PAFURI AND GIRIYONDO PORTS OF ENTRY DUE TO FLOODING

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BMA SUSPENDS OPERATIONS AT PAFURI AND GIRIYONDO PORTS OF ENTRY DUE TO FLOODING

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, wishes to inform the public that operations at the Pafuri Port of Entry and the Giriyondo Port of Entry have been temporarily suspended due to flooding in the two ports and surrounding areas.

Pafuri is a Port of Entry between South Africa and Mozambique, situated in the far northern region of the Kruger National Park. Pafuri Gate, which provides access to  Pafuri Port of Entry and located approximately 30 km from the Port, has also been closed due to high flood water levels. 

Giriyondo , also a port between South Africa and Mozambique is an important part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which spans across South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.  

Earlier this afternoon, reports from the Kruger National Park rangers who are monitoring the area indicated that the water level at the Luvuvhu River bridge had risen by approximately half a metre compared to yesterday. Additional updates also confirmed that the Klein Letaba and Middlevlei rivers are currently overflowing, while the Letaba bridge is nearing full capacity due to the continued heavy inflow of water.

Given that the Luvuvhu River runs adjacent to the Pafuri Port of Entry, the rapidly rising water levels have posed a potential safety risk to personnel, travellers, and infrastructure in the area. In the interest of ensuring the safety of all concerned, the Border Management Authority has taken the precautionary decision to suspend operations at the affected ports of entry until conditions improve.

All BMA staff members,  Port Management Committee members and operational vehicles stationed at the affected ports were safely evacuated as a precautionary measure. There have been no injuries or damages to the infrastructure reported.

Travellers who intend to access Pafuri Gate are advised to use Punda Maria Gate as an alternative access point. Punda Maria Gate is located approximately 65 km from the Port of Entry and currently remains accessible.

The BMA continues to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with relevant authorities and park management officials. Operations will resume once it is deemed safe to do so.

The Border Management Authority remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all border operations while safeguarding the wellbeing of officials and the travelling public.

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