The Gauteng Department of Education GDE has increased its budget to R70.9 billion for the 2026-27 financial year, up from R63 billion in 2025-26. This R2.9 billion increase aims to tackle key challenges including overcrowding, infrastructure backlogs, and improving performance in Mathematics, Science, Technology, reading development, and technical education. The department has allocated R2.7 billion for infrastructure investment to address issues like rapid in-migration and aging asbestos structures in schools, particularly in townships, informal settlements, and inner-city areas. Additionally, R3.7 billion is earmarked for education modernization initiatives, such as school reorganization and expanding schools of specialization. R994 million is allocated to expand access to Grade R for early childhood development, and R1.2 billion is set aside to improve critical subject areas. The GDE acknowledges that these allocations will not immediately resolve all historical backlogs but represent a step towards easing overcrowding and enhancing learning conditions, despite challenges like payment delays for employees and financial strain on local schools due to missed subsidy deadlines.
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Residents of Standerton and surrounding communities in Mpumalanga are facing health risks due to untreated sewage continuously flowing into the Vaal River. This situation persists three years after the Lekwa local municipality was fined R70 million by the Standerton Regional Court for environmental violations, including the unlawful discharge of raw sewage and failure to comply with environmental directives. Community representative Corn茅 Stoltz, leader of the Independent Lekwa Party, expressed concern and frustration over the ongoing environmental and public health crisis. Stoltz highlighted that the continued discharge violates environmental legislation and poses a direct threat to public health, biodiversity, and downstream water users. Despite repeated reports and community engagement over the past two years, there has been no sustainable intervention or transparent progress from the municipality. Stoltz called on authorities, including the Department of Water and Sanitation, to enforce the court order, investigate non-compliance, ensure infrastructure repair, and hold officials accountable. The community also demands transparency on how the R70 million fine was spent. An anonymous resident believes the municipality has not taken corrective measures. Environmentalist Benjamin Magongo warned that the sewage spillage endangers about 10 indigenous species, grazing fields, wetlands, and various animals like butterflies, fish, and livestock, and could cause waterborne diseases
The Supreme Court of Appeal SCA has overturned a Gauteng High Court order that previously granted the Zambian government authority to bury former Zambian president Edgar Lungu. This ruling allows Lungu's family to bury him in South Africa, in accordance with his wishes. Justice Raylene Keightley, delivering the judgment, stated that South African constitutional protections for dignity, privacy, and family autonomy, along with common law principles, supported the family's position. The legal dispute arose after Lungu's death in June, with the Zambian government offering a state funeral and the family later accusing the government of breaching an agreement, leading them to plan a burial in South Africa. The high court had initially ordered his body to be returned to Zambia, but the family appealed this decision. Lungu's wife, Esther, and seven other family members wish for him to be buried at Fourways Memorial Park in Johannesburg, claiming Lungu expressed that his successor, current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, should not be involved in his funeral arrangements.
South Africa is experiencing a cold winter with strong cold fronts expected to persist into August, according to SA Weather Service forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela. While temperatures in central and eastern parts of the country are anticipated to normalize for winter, Vox Weather meteorologist Annette Botha noted that historically, significant cold fronts often occur in late June, July, and August. Looking ahead, there is increasing discussion about the possibility of the current El Nino strengthening into a strong or even super El Nino later in 2026 and into 2027. Botha clarified that an El Nino does not automatically guarantee drought for South Africa, as its impacts depend on its strength, timing, and interaction with other climate drivers, primarily affecting the summer rain region. The current winter forecast remains largely unchanged by El Nino, as its influence is typically greater during spring and summer. Agricultural Business Chamber of SA chief economist Wandile Sihlobo mentioned warnings of a potential drought in the summer of 2026-27 due to a stronger El Nino, which could pose challenges for farmers, despite the excellent output of the 2025-26 production season.