Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has been monitoring the first day of school in Diepsloot in Gauteng as inland schools begin the 2023 academic year.  She has pleaded with parents of learners who have not yet been allocated places at schools, to give the department least ten days in which to address the problem. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Horisani Sithole on today's proceedings.

 Parents at some Quintile One schools in Malamulele have accused local schools of refusing to issue their children with stationery. They say the schools are demanding  a once-off payment of 550 rand before issuing stationery to learners. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Michael Makungo 

The resignation of the Mayor of the embattled Ditsobotla municipality in the North West hardly 24 hours in office has set tongues wagging.  This after Itumeleng Elizabeth Lethoko was elected into the position leaving the municipality without a mayor. Yesterday's sitting came after postponements and delays in swearing in councillors after the by-elections. Lethoko,was herself convicted of fraud and breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act in 2015. Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene says they had hoped to turn the municipality around. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Zabilon Maine.

Postbank has appealed to grant beneficiaries to ignore rumours circulating that the SASSA gold Card has been changed and no longer working. Postbank suspended ATM withdrawals on SASSA gold cards in December leaving some Social Relief of Distress grant recipients frustrated. Postbank says there was a system glitch which has since been resolved and beneficiaries can continue to access their money at ATM's, retailers as well as over the counter at the Post office branches.  29 million South African citizens receive grants from SASSA. Amina Accram filed this report. 

Gauteng MEC, Matome Chiloane says parents should exercise patience with the department over the placement of both Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners. This comes a day before the start of the 2023 academic year for inland provinces. The Gauteng Education department earlier said they received over 290-thousand complete applications. MEC Chiloane who last year replaced the current Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi in this portfolio explains where the Online Admissions is at currently..

Parents at some Quintile One schools in Malamulele are accusing local schools of refusing to issue their children with stationery until they have made once off payments. This comes as thousands of learners are expected to return to school following the festive season break. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Michael Makungo

The Tembisa Magistrate's Court has postponed the extradition case against a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to the 16th of January. The 50-year-old suspect is alleged to be linked to multiple kidnappings in South Africa and Mozambique. A task team pounced on the man on Saturday evening at an upmarket estate in Centurion. Police seized a 9mm licensed firearm, fourteen 9mm cartridges and five cellphones, among other items. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Sashin Naidoo

Last month, a number of grant beneficiaries did not receive their R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant from the South African Social Security Agency and Postbank. This was due to some technical glitches during the November and December period which affected the timely payment of beneficiaries. SASSA and Post bank are back on track and many recipients received their January payments with no glitches. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Moabi Pitsi, Acting SASSA Spokesperson and Daddy Mabe of #PayTheGrants 

It is that time of the year where parents are busy preparing for the opening of schools. One of the stresses that emerge at this time is the cost of uniforms and  stationery.  Uniforms set parents back thousands of rand. But parents are not completely left to fend for themselves. The Competion Commission has been investigating the matter and in 2021 published national guidelines on school uniforms.  The guidelines stipulate that schools should follow a competitive bidding process when appointing suppliers for school uniforms and learning-related items. General secretary at the National Association of School Governing Bodies, Matakanye Matakanye says parents are not completely powerless when it comes to the issue of high cost of uniforms. Elvis Presslin spoke to Matakanye Matakanye, general secretary at the National Association of School Governing Bodies 

Instability continues to be the order of the day in the Lichtenburg-based Ditsobotla Local Municipality. Contract workers have downed tools 'cause they haven't been paid their December salaries. Some are essential service workers. Protesting contract workers have blocked the municipality's entrance and scattered municipal documents all over Lichtenburg town. SABC reporter, Tebogo Phakedi filed this report.