Two school teams from Limpopo, South Africa, Robo-Kidz from Mashupye Tladi Primary School and Roborise from Bokamoso Secondary School, are competing at the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Grand Finale in Geneva, Switzerland. The event, taking place from July 7 to 10, 2026, at the Palexpo International Exhibition and Convention Centre, features the junior and senior category winners from South Africa. Their participation follows success in local, provincial, and national competitions. The Department of Basic Education DBE highlighted this achievement as evidence of the growing impact of coding and robotics education, which is part of its strategy to equip students with future-focused skills. The DBE has been implementing a phased pilot program for the coding and robotics curriculum since 2021, aiming to expose students to computational thinking, problem-solving, innovation, and digital technologies, preparing them for careers in STEM fields. The Limpopo teams' success is attributed to the province's use of the Mathematics, Science and Technology MST Conditional Grant, which supports coding and robotics, student enrichment, teacher development, and laboratory resources. Approximately 90,000 students annually benefit from these programs through various science-related activities. Terence Khala, DBE's acting director for communications, stated that the students' achievement showcases the benefits of sustained investment in education that prepares young people for future careers
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Former EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi recently addressed a crowd in Tehran, Iran, while attending the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ndlozi offered condolences and thanked Iranians for their alleged support during South Africa's apartheid era, stating, "When South Africa was under the yoke of the oppressive apartheid, you the people of Iran helped us to defeat apartheid." He also expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine. His presence and speech have generated varied reactions among South Africans on X. Some users, like @PKamupingene and @Mangethe__, suggested his relationship with Iran could be an asset or that he would make a suitable ambassador. Mayibuye Mandela clarified that Ndlozi attended in a personal political capacity, not representing the South African government. Conversely, @DrLimukaniMathe questioned his focus on resistance abroad given domestic issues like xenophobia. The DA's spokesperson on international affairs, Ryan Smith, refuted Ndlozi's claims about Iran's anti-apartheid support. Smith stated that after the Iranian revolution, Iran imprisoned ANC's socialist allies and sold oil to the apartheid state in exchange for weapons during the 1980s sanctions, arguing that Iran helped sustain the apartheid regime. Smith acknowledged Ndlozi's freedom to express his views despite disagreeing with them.
The home affairs portfolio committee has endorsed the temporary repatriation camps at Musina and the Beitbridge border post following a two-day oversight visit. A committee member noted the centers facilitate controlled repatriations without violence, while the chair stated inspections addressed constitutional compliance concerns. The camps, established rapidly, had processed over 45,000 foreign nationals by Tuesday's inspection. The Musina facility can accommodate up to 20,000 people. Adrian Roos, a Democratic Alliance committee member, praised the inter-departmental coordination and emphasized the need to strengthen the Border Management Authority BMA through investment, biometric technology, and efficient legal migration pathways. He advocated for reforms that ease legal entry and complicate illegal entry, ensuring state-led enforcement over vigilantism. Earlier, Amnesty International raised concerns about humanitarian needs, including potable water, medical supplies, and disease prevention, for vulnerable individuals awaiting repatriation. They highlighted potential risks of interrupted healthcare, mental health challenges, gender-based violence, and exploitation. However, the committee stated the camps were meeting expectations, with chair Mosa Chabane affirming that the systems in place are lawful, efficient, humane, and operationally capable. The facilities were set up to manage the influx of foreign nationals departing after the unofficial June 30 deadline for illegal
National Treasury has defended its decision to withhold R13.5 billion in equitable share transfers from 60 municipalities across South Africa, including R3.6 billion from the City of Johannesburg. The intervention, described as corrective rather than punitive, addresses persistent financial mismanagement and high levels of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure UIFWE. Intergovernmental Relations Deputy Director-General Ogalaletseng Gaarekwe explained that municipalities with unfunded budgets were required to commit to ending this practice and submit signed payment plans for debts owed to creditors like Eskom, water boards, SARS, and pension funds. Withheld funds will be released once municipalities demonstrate compliance and provide proof of corrective action, with Gaarekwe noting that funds could be released within two weeks depending on municipal action. Treasury also stated that municipalities had previously pledged to reduce UIFWE but many failed to honor these commitments. Despite the withholding, Treasury does not anticipate a disruption to service delivery, as municipalities generate most of their funding from their own revenue. Similar actions are being extended to national departments and provinces that fail to pay creditors. The intervention has reportedly prevented two water boards from collapsing and is linked to findings by the Auditor-General regarding unfunded budgets and escalating UIFWE. Treasury emphasized that municipal councils are re