Monday, 17 August 2026

SADC leaders met in Durban with Ramaphosa set to take the 2026-27 chair; migration was notably left off the 12-point agenda after Zimbabwe and Mozambique pushed back.

NSFAS is facing a reported R15 billion shortfall, while universities say they are owed up to R10.5 billion; the chair said the scheme’s current bursary-heavy model is not sustainable.

Treasury says NSFAS needs about R700 million a year just to run, with MPs and callers arguing the scheme should revert to a repayable loan model linked to future earnings.

The Madlanga Commission brought forward Vusimuzi Matlala’s testimony to 17 and 18 August, and said criminal charges will be laid against businessman Suleiman Karim after repeated no-shows.

South Africa’s AGOA membership was renewed for two years to December 2028, preserving tariff-free access on qualifying exports despite tensions with Washington.