Child Welfare: A Community’s Fight to Stem the Tide of Child Abuse and Neglect
Every day in South Africa, the unthinkable happens. On average, more than three children are murdered, and 58 are sexually abused. In the last financial year alone, over 26,000 cases…
Investigating the National School Nutrition Programme: addressing tender fraud and nutritional needs
The National School Nutrition Programme has been earmarked to be investigated and independently evaluated in relation to the continual irregularities that have been reported. The allegations, which primarily include tender…
The importance of tertiary education in South Africa’s political landscape
Tertiary educational qualifications, as well as the opportunity to learn new skills and develop knowledge expertise, are central to providing value to any individual and society. South Africa’s National Development Plan…
The Impact of Economic Challenges on South Africa’s Grade 12 Learners and Future Employment
We have approached the second schooling term and South Africa’s grade 12 learners are now preparing for the final grade 12 exams. The pressures today for most learners completing school…
Addressing Nepotism and Irregularities in South Africa’s SETAs
The recent SETA debacle in South Africa once again highlights the prevalence of nepotism and the continuation of irregularities in South Africa. The long-term vision of the role of these…
Understanding father absenteeism in South Africa: Socio-economic factors at play
South Africans recently acknowledged and celebrated Father’s Day and numerous retail outlets capitalised on the day by advertising and selling appropriate gifts for men. The event has always been traditionally…
Caring for South Africa’s Children: Addressing Child Neglect and Abuse
CHILD Protection Week has just been concluded, but year after year we are still stuck in the same momentum. Recently a 3-year-old was left unattended for hours on end resulting…
Understanding the Challenges Facing South Africa’s Youth in 2025
THE month of June brings South Africa’s youth to the fore. Youth Month is all about understanding the role youth play in society and determining how we can meet their…
The urgent need for STEM education in South Africa’s economy
The pressure and the increasing need to build a functional and profitable economy are now becoming urgent. Every so often the media informs us of rising living costs, high unemployment,…
Understanding misinformation and malinformation in South Africa
MISINFORMATION and malinformation have become a norm within our society today. Yet many South Africans believe advice or any other information simply because it appears on a variety of social…
Parents’ balancing act in finding the right school at the right price for children
AMIDST the growing costs of necessities in South Africa, there is the stagnant economy, and the job market and private business sectors remain very volatile. Regardless, school fees have increased,…
School environments remain fertile ground for sexual harassment of children
In recent years, the South African government has engaged in campaigns to alert us about gender-based violence and power imbalances between men and women. Despite their efforts, there are continual…
Addressing the troubling rise of misconduct in South African schools
THE Department of Basic Education has had a flurry of urgencies, which all relate to the overall development of learners at South African schools. The recent incidents of school violence,…
Investing in teachers produces results
A NATIONAL survey recently indicated that approximately 50% of educators who are currently employed at schools in South Africa would prefer to retire early, and the primary motivation for this was heavy workloads…
The ethical complexities of using artificial intelligence in academic research
THERE has been increasing attention given to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at universities and its role in the knowledge economy. Continual debates about concerns regarding the originality of…
Raising a child requires a multi-faceted approach
AS WE BEGIN the month of April, South Africa hosts the second African Children’s Summit which runs from of April 4 to 7 in Parktown, Johannesburg. The intended outcome of…
Are we truly a transformed democratic nation: The impact of racial and ethnic profiling?
Thirty years post democracy and we continue to be faced with blatant racial profiling. Citizens are treated differently because of dominant societal perceptions which lead to negative stereotypes. This also has…
Why bullying is rife in South African schools
THE recent surge of incidents related to bullying and resulting in violence has been escalating in South Africa. On average, there are over three million learners at primary and secondary…
Solve the water challenge
THE core of developing a healthy and functional citizenship lies in South Africa’s capacity to educate their people appropriately. As we approached2025, with a new hope as we entered the…
What fuels student prostests?
Universities across South Africa proceed with registration processes and admission during January and February annually and simultaneously we await with anticipation student protests at numerous campuses in the country. During…
Confronting racism in South African schools is a necessity
The ongoing racism at schools in South Africa needs to be addressed. Recent incidents reported by the media at Centenary High School in Durban this month and last year at…
The impact of socio-economic factors on school violence
Dr Sheetal Bhoola ON February 4, a brutal brawl took place at Centenary Secondary in Asherville, Durban leaving three students injured and causing the school to shut their doors. Police…
Policy framework needs to address dropout rates
Dr Sheetal Bhoola, High dropout rates at schools persist in South Africa despite us celebrating an improved, higher pass rate. This remains an alarming concern as the Zero Dropout School…
Private institutions, the missing link in South Africa’s education landscape
Dr Sheetal Bhoola The recent influx of university applications for the first year of study at universities in South Africa is clearly representative of the fact that annually, there is…
SA has a critical need for qualified academic staff
In recent years, South African universities have become stringent about academic staff engaging in professional development programs and qualifications and being appropriately qualified to facilitate teaching and learning, research portfolios,…
Making Diwali a public holiday would boost social cohesion
Indian South Africans celebrate Diwali or Deepavali (the festival of lights) in post-democratic South Africa with city-wide festivals and events, and a more significant presence and awareness of the festival…
Multilingualism: a key to combating bullying in South African schools
South African schooling needs dire help, and the need is not always financial. Amidst a call for teacher retrenchments because of budget deficits, South African schools are challenged with escalating…
Educate teachers and learners about the dangers of violence in all its forms
Recent media reports have highlighted several incidents of learner and teacher misconduct at public and private schools in South Africa. The descriptions of misconduct are many but are predominantly associated…
Knowledge for problem-solving, creativity in a competitive world
There is a growing realisation of the strength and value of developing the Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects and curriculum in Africa. Globally, it has been realised that…
Ways to build confidence in kids and help them feel secure
As we develop from childhood into adulthood, we often look back and realise the impact of various scenarios, circumstances and parenting styles that have helped shape our identities within our…
Do citizens need to problem solve collectively with municipalities to address poor service delivery?
After the May elections, South Africans hoped that the new government would kick off by solving some of the overwhelming problems we have been experiencing in recent years. The continual…
Considering studying abroad? The benefits can be lasting
In recent years, we have become accustomed to hearing about the brain drain and South Africans who attain skills and qualifications at home and then leave our country to earn…
Understanding the value of stokvels for women
South African women have constantly been challenged by both racial discrimination and gender prejudices in the workplace and formal economy. In lieu of Women’s Month, we acknowledge the multiple hurdles…
Only a small percentage of women can truly celebrate Women’s Day
Over the last decades, post the transformative democratic governance and progressive constitution that protects women’s rights and demands safety and respect for them, only a section of our society can truly…
New Nsfas debacle: urgent restructuring needed
The irregularities within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) are alarming, considering the dire need for funds to be directed into the education sector. The new debacle comes after…
Violence at schools threatens education and society
Recent media reports have once again reminded us that South Africa could be labelled and stereotyped as a violent society. Violent and criminal behaviour within the country’s public schools continue…
Financial education should be mandatory in schools
Recent national media reports have reiterated that many poor and middle-income households have been challenged by the increasing cost of living in South Africa. It was reported by BusinessTech in November 2023…
A university application needs focus and your future in mind
Grade 12 students have completed their midyear exams and are now considering various applications to tertiary institutions in South Africa. Managing and perusing an application is daunting, especially if one…
Labour laws don’t protect extras on TV and film sets
Post the elections last month, many South Africans look forward to a new governance that will prioritise efforts to rid the ills of our society and develop a society that…
Citizen participation should not be limited to voting, strikes
After the 2024 elections, South Africans are not optimistic about a coalition government. The former leading party, the ANC, is no longer in the lead. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)…
Sexual misconduct, abuse at schools require urgent action
As we approach the national elections, many of us are thinking about the changes we would like to see in our representative democracy. We vote with optimism and faith that…
Voter education should be a priority in SA
South Africans are days away from the national elections, and many citizens are trying to determine which political party to vote for and why. Some citizens have opted not to…
NSFAS must include post-grad students in its budget
South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has been deemed one of the most effective schemes because it has supported more than five million students since its inception in…
Journalism in SA needs financial support, policy reform
THE recent shutdown of the Daily Maverick has forced citizens to put their thinking caps on. The value of journalism and its contribution to any healthy democracy has been scrutinised amid an…
Students scrambling for funds while blame game continues
April 2024 has arrived, and many students at tertiary educational institutions are in the middle of exam preparation and assessments, while the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) recipients are…
Students scrambling for funds while blame game continues
April 2024 has arrived, and many students at tertiary educational institutions are in the middle of exam preparation and assessments, while the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) recipients are…
South Africa needs good governance regulations in education
As South Africans, we all have been reminded that the education sector has been prioritised. Recently, we have been privy to the government resorting to various avenues to address the…
SA needs good governance regulations in education
As South Africans, we all have been reminded that the education sector has been prioritised. Recently, we have been privy to the government resorting to various avenues to address the…
Children not learning maths: an unequal system in SA
Human Rights Day has passed. Could South Africans really celebrate it? Another year of democracy has passed. Ideally, it should represents equity, growth and development for all. The UN Global…
Children not learning maths: an unequal system in SA
Human Rights Day has passed. Could South Africans really celebrate it? Another year of democracy has passed. Ideally, it should represents equity, growth and development for all. The UN Global…
Developing critical thinking skills should be a priority
Education is the highest domestic priority for the South African government and has been receiving the most significant portion of government spending. In 2022, 17% of government expenditure went towards…
Developing critical thinking skills should be a priority
Education is the highest domestic priority for the South African government and has been receiving the most significant portion of government spending. In 2022, 17% of government expenditure went towards…
NSFAS needs to be reminded of its objectives and purpose
In recent years student protests at state universities in South Africa have become a normative practice. The motivations for students to protest violently vary widely. Some students have gripes with…
NSFAS needs to be reminded of its objectives and purpose
In recent years student protests at state universities in South Africa have become a normative practice. The motivations for students to protest violently vary widely. Some students have gripes with…
Would Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill benefit all?
South Africans are questioning the intent and primary objectives of the Basic Education Laws Amendment. Some of the amendments include that parents could be criminalised for not ensuring their children…
Would Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill benefit all?
South Africans are questioning the intent and primary objectives of the Basic Education Laws Amendment. Some of the amendments include that parents could be criminalised for not ensuring their children…
Ramaphosa misrepresented SA’s educational trajectory
SHEETAL BHOOLA Since the start of 2024, South Africans have been forced to contend with continual load shedding, a lack of municipal services such as water, particularly in the eThekwini…
Ramaphosa misrepresented SA’s educational trajectory
Since the start of 2024, South Africans have been forced to contend with continual load shedding, a lack of municipal services such as water, particularly in the eThekwini areas, and…
Escalating school fees pose dilemma for parents
SHEETAL BHOOLA As a new year begins, parents assess and question the costs of schooling and other educational activities. The typical South African family, especially those comprising two or more…
Escalating school fees pose dilemma for parents
As a new year begins, parents assess and question the costs of schooling and other educational activities. The typical South African family, especially those comprising two or more children, are…
Correct subject choices are the beginning of a career trajectory
Dr. Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, highlighted the importance of mathematics in certain degrees, emphasizing a 60% pass requirement. Scarce skills sectors, including sciences and engineering, demand specific subjects. However, students often lack guidance in selecting the right subjects for their desired qualifications.
Correct subject choices are the beginning of a career trajectory
South Africa has a total of 26 public universities with the capacity to enrol just over 1 million students annually, a projection that includes returning students amid their degrees. In…
How to prepare your child for new academic year
THE new year has arrived, and as we anticipate a better year, we prepare ourselves and our children for a new school year. The new school year is about to…
Useful information: What to consider when selecting a primary school for your child
The challenge of searching, selecting and enrolling your child at their first primary school can be a daunting one for many parents. The choice of a school represents so much…
The demise of leaders in 2023 reminds us of the purpose of servant leadership
THE demise of our leaders in 2023 reminds us of the great purpose of servant leadership. The recent deaths of Professor Hoosen Coovadia, an anti-apartheid stalwart, prolific scientist and activist…
The demise of leaders in 2023 reminds us of the purpose of servant leadership
THE demise of our leaders in 2023 reminds us of the great purpose of servant leadership. The recent deaths of Professor Hoosen Coovadia, an anti-apartheid stalwart, prolific scientist and activist…
Perceptions, inflation and the real Income
the adverse economic impacts faced by South African households and businesses due to a shrinking economy, rising inflation, and other challenges. It emphasizes the importance of financial literacy in navigating these issues, and suggests educating the youth on financial operational knowledge and skills to better manage their finances and prepare for unforeseen circumstances
Perceptions, inflation and the real Income
THE recent shrinking economy has had the worst impact on households and businesses over the last 18 months. The consequences have been dire for many South Africans, and other contributing…
KZN singled out as one of the most violent provinces
KWAZULU-NATAL has a long history of political violence and criminal activities, and now the province has been singled out as one of the most violent provinces in South Africa. The…
KZN singled out as one of the most violent provinces
KWAZULU-NATAL has a long history of political violence and criminal activities, and now the province has been singled out as one of the most violent provinces in South Africa. The…
World Literacy Day should be at the fore in September
During September, various days are commemorated globally, reminding us of the progression and development of society. People located in multiple countries celebrate numerous international days. The objective of acknowledging and…
Are women really doing it by themselves?
THE month of August reminds us of the various plights that women endure globally irrespective of ethnicity, class, race and educational qualifications. But central to every woman is the struggle…
Are women really doing it by themselves?
THE month of August reminds us of the various plights that women endure globally irrespective of ethnicity, class, race and educational qualifications. But central to every woman is the struggle…
We need to inform South Africans that skills acquisition is vital
THE continual inflation rate and escalating cost of living have impacted the lives of many South Africans, and recent reports have indicated that South Africans are still struggling to meet…
We need to inform South Africans that skills acquisition is vital
THE continual inflation rate and escalating cost of living have impacted the lives of many South Africans, and recent reports have indicated that South Africans are still struggling to meet…
July unrest reasons researched
ACADEMICS from the University of Zululand and other local and international institutions presented empirical research on factors that contributed to the 2021 unrest from July 9 to 18 in KwaZulu-Natal…
Social science degrees undervalued despite contribution to social development
FOR generations, Indian South Africans have placed greater importance on graduates who complete degrees in medicine, law, accounting and the so-called pure sciences than the youth who complete social sciences…
Social science degrees undervalued despite contribution to social development
FOR generations, Indian South Africans have placed greater importance on graduates who complete degrees in medicine, law, accounting and the so-called pure sciences than the youth who complete social sciences…
Are parents paying for the price for good schools and extra tuition?
SOUTH African school children are in the midst of their mid-year exams, and children and parents experience the tensions and pressures of the exam period. Observations inform us that parents…
Why are our national food and nutrition policies not up-to-date, focused and properly effective?
DR. SHEETAL BHOOLA Children at schools in KwaZulu-Natal reportedly went hungry because the assigned supplier failed to deliver meals to the designated schools as per the contract. Provincial experts described…
Race continues to be an identity marker
THE writer says the current affirmative action policies have added pressures on job seekers and are arguably a discriminatory approach. SHEETAL BHOOLA During the month of April tertiary institutions in…
Violence and crime has become a communication tool for poor South Africans
RECENT provincial statistics have indicated that there has been an overall increase in robberies, rape, murder, hijackings, and organised crime in the province. The head of the justice and violence…
Can South Africans truly be happy in the present socio-economic context?
SHEETAL BHOOLA ON March 20, the world acknowledged World Happiness Day, but few South Africans acknowledged the day. In the current context of socio-economic pressures and political instability, are South…
Women need to be equally respected
On March 8, South African women celebrated International Woman’s Day. A day for women to recognise and reaffirm themselves on their journeys of attaining equity, strength, empowerment within all spheres…
Do equal job opportunities and access for women really exist?
IN RECENT years we have witnessed a global emphasis on gender equity and the progression of women within socio-economic and political spaces aligned to the 5th global sustainable development goal….