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In this week’s wrap: Massive high-fives to the matric class of 2024 for smashing records with their historic pass rate! 🎓🎉 Meanwhile, over in the political corner, the ANC had their January 8 celebrations. The crowd was smaller, but hey, dreams don’t do headcounts, right?
Switching gears, the Middle East might finally be getting a breather with talks of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Things are developing really fast on that story so check out our site for more on this. On the sports front, let’s give Bafana Bafana some love for grabbing a win! From zeroes to heroes—talk about a glow-up. Let’s dive into these stories and more in this week’s wrap, brought to you by Verashni Pillay and the explain.co.za team. 😄
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▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 1. OUR TAKE: The matric class of 2024 stuns with historic pass rate
The matric class of 2024 was undoubtedly in a celebratory mood on Tuesday following the release of the matric results. And there’s a reason to celebrate: The Department of Basic Education (DBE) revealed that the pass rate of 87.3% is the highest in the history of democratic South Africa! This means nine out of 10 matriculants who sat for exams passed.
This is an increase of 4.4 percentage points from 82.9% in 2023.
DBE Minister Siviwe Gwarube presented the results at a presentation held in Gauteng on Monday evening, following the approval of the exams quality board Umalusi.
Gwarube, who stepped into the role following last year’s general elections and the formation of the Government of National Unity, said the focus should be on the quality of Mzansi’s education rather than just the matric pass rate.
What constitutes a pass rate? To get a National Senior Certificate (NSC) bachelor pass, matric students need to get 40% in their home language, 50% in four other subjects, excluding Life Orientation, at least 30% in the language of teaching (this is important for higher education), and to pass six out of seven subjects offered.
The top three provinces were the Free State, with a pass rate of 91%; KwaZulu-Natal, with 89.5%; and Gauteng, with 88.4%.
While the DBE is celebrating, Independent Examination Board (IEB) private schools have achieved a bigger milestone: a 98.47% pass rate, the highest in five years. The IEB releases its own pass rate, which is not included in the DBE’s national pass rate.
Another independent board, the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (Sacai), recorded a pass rate of 73.9%, a 1.9 percentage point increase from 72% in 2023.
While the minister and her deputy, Reginah Mhaule, have welcomed the results as a sign of a “strengthening and maturing system,” questions have been raised about whether these are the “real results.” Build One South Africa, led by Mmusi Maimane, said that the actual result was 51%, considering the number of learners who dropped out or never made it to matric.
Regardless, the class of 2024 deserves a pat on the back for setting the tone of a slowly recovering South African education system. Well done!
▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 2. BIG STORY: More of the same in Ramaphosa’s January 8 statement
A subdued ANC celebrated its 113th birthday at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha this past weekend, with President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the annual January 8 statement. The event, which was noticeably smaller than previous celebrations, dates back to a 1972 statement by Oliver Tambo and is meant to set the political tone for the year. But if you were hoping for fresh ideas, you’d be disappointed—this sounded a lot like the ANC’s greatest hits album on repeat.
After a poor showing in last year’s national election, the ANC lost its majority and had to form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with its arch-rival, the DA. Unsurprisingly, tensions are already showing. Ramaphosa threw shade at the DA-run Western Cape, describing it as “a point of convergence between wealth and poverty, justice and injustice.” Previously Deputy President Paul Mashatile accused the DA of neglecting poorer areas like Khayelitsha and Gugulethu, sparking a political spat with the blue party.
This year’s theme was “renewal,” a nod to the ANC’s dire need to rebuild its support base. Ramaphosa announced three priorities: creating jobs, improving government accountability, and rebuilding the ANC into a decisive, ethical leader. But while the promises sound ambitious, they lack specifics—making them feel more like wishful thinking than a concrete plan.
Ramaphosa also blamed “anti-transformation forces” and “state capture forces” for trying to weaken the ANC. He accused breakaway groups (Read: The MK Party) of pretending to be more radical than the ANC while secretly opposing transformation. Meanwhile, the ANC’s internal alliances aren’t exactly thriving. The South African Communist Party (SACP) has again hinted at going solo in the next local elections, fed up with what it sees as exploitation under the tripartite alliance.
The ANC laid out six priorities for the year, including tackling youth unemployment and strengthening crime-fighting efforts. While these are admirable goals, it’s as if the ANC is writing the same New Year’s resolutions every year but never actually hitting the gym. 🙄
▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ BRIEFS
3. Proteas face moral crossroads as SA20 showcases cricket’s bright future
South African cricket is at a crossroads, grappling with moral dilemmas while simultaneously celebrating a fresh wave of talent lighting up the pitch.
Let’s start with the Proteas, who are preparing for their ICC Champions Trophy opener against Afghanistan in the country’s capital, Karachi, next month. But this isn’t just another cricket match—it’s a test of values. Afghanistan’s brutal ban on women’s and girls’ participation in sport (and their rights in general), since the Taliban took over in 2021, has sparked international calls for boycotts. SA, with its history of sports boycotts helping topple apartheid, now faces the tough question: should it play at all?
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie thinks not. He’s joined a growing chorus of voices, including British MPs, arguing for a boycott. “As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world,” McKenzie said.
The final decision, however, rests with Cricket South Africa (CSA), however, is treading cautiously. CSA president Rihan Richards wants other countries to join in, calling for unified ICC response. He argues that collective action would be more impactful. It’s a tightrope walk for South Africa.
Meanwhile, on the domestic front, the SA20 league is showcasing the future of South African cricket, blending youthful talent with seasoned stars. In its third season, the tournament has become a launchpad for rising stars like MI Cape Town’s Kwena Maphaka, an 18-year-old fast bowler who made his ODI debut with a bang earlier this year. Then there’s Paarl Royals’ Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who smashed an impressive 97 in his SA20 debut. His performance earned praise from fans and international stars alike—England captain Ben Stokes even gave him a shout-out on social media.
The league’s commitment to nurturing young talent is paying off. The rookie draft system has already brought several players to the fore, and initiatives like the Rising Star Award continue to spotlight under-25 players excelling on the big stage. Veterans like AB de Villiers and India’s Dinesh Karthik have lauded the SA20’s role in bridging generations, calling it vital for South African cricket’s future.
While the Proteas deliberate on their moral stance, their domestic league is proving that the game’s next chapter is in good hands.
4. Could Elon Musk save TikTok as US ban looms?
TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance as the US edges closer to a possible nationwide ban on the wildly popular app. The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been accused of being a Trojan horse for Chinese surveillance – claims the company denies. Now, tech billionaire Elon Musk is emerging as an unlikely player in this saga.
The app has faced scrutiny in the US for years, but things heated up in April last year when Congress passed a bill banning TikTok on government devices, citing national security concerns. Now, ByteDance is under pressure to either sell TikTok’s US operations or face an outright ban. Enter Musk, the ever-controversial billionaire.
Reports suggest Musk’s X Corp.—the holding company for Twitter and other ventures—could be eyeing TikTok. Industry insiders argue the app would be a natural fit for Musk’s ambitions to expand his influence in the tech world, particularly in social media. TikTok could help diversify his portfolio and target a younger audience.
However, the potential acquisition raises questions. Would Musk be able to navigate the complexities of TikTok’s business, which depends on a blend of algorithmic magic and cultural savviness? And, crucially, would this move do anything to ease concerns about user data and national security? Critics argue that simply changing ownership won’t address the US’s deeper concerns about data privacy.
Then there’s the fact that Musk’s takeover of Twitter (now X) in late 2022 plunged the platform into chaos. After slashing thousands of jobs—including dissolving its Trust and Safety Council— X became a breeding ground for misinformation, spam, and hate speech. Cue an advertiser exodus, with brands like Pfizer and Volkswagen ditching the site amid concerns over moderation. X’s valuation plummeted by nearly 80%, and Musk’s penchant for using it to play political games and spread questionable claims hasn’t helped.
Meanwhile, TikTok’s 170 million American users remain caught in the middle. The app has become a cultural juggernaut, shaping trends and even news consumption. The stakes are high – not just for TikTok’s future but for the global debate on data security and tech ownership.
5. South Africa’s cost of living is fueling malnutrition
Load shedding, civil unrest, the Kolisi divorce; South Africans have been through it all. However, we continue to be tested. Last year’s increased cost of living spike has fuelled a malnutrition problem among SA’s poor.
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) Group tracks 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries that target the low-income market, particularly women shoppers. It tracks these costs in six key geographical areas, including Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Their December report reveals that the average cost of a household food basket in this market sat at R5,383.38 at the end of last year. That was R145,18 more that the same time the previous year.
While that may seem like small change to us, it means cutting out nutritious food for those at the lower end of the economic scale.
That’s why these poorer households are struggling with the “triple burden of malnutrition”: undernutrition, hidden hunger, and obesity due to inadequate diets.
“When the prices of core foods increase, there is less money to secure other important mostly nutritionally-rich foods, which are essential for health and well-being and strong immune systems,” said the PMBEJD.
These findings are confirmed by another survey, the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), which takes a more comprehensive, national look. Their results released in October last year confirms that many low-income households are unable to afford nutritious food, with only 58.1% of surveyed households maintaining acceptable diets.
Malnutrition not only has long-term health effects but greatly influences economic development. According to Mervyn Abrahams, a programme coordinator from PMBEJD, child stunting leads to “lower educational output, economic development and lower economic productivity.”
Health minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that more than 1,000 children had died of severe acute malnutrition in the past two years in South Africa.
But there is hope. As we told you last week, South Africa’s economy is looking up this year. Let’s hope that means better nutrition all around.
Also, SA’s second largest political party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), have called for action on this issue in the past from the Government of National Unity (GNU) of which they are part. With its leader, John Steenhuisen, leading the charge as Minister of Agriculture, perhaps the DA’s stance on affordable groceries could become a defining aspect of its leadership in 2025.
6. New year, new African crypto regulations?
Cryptocurrency is having a moment in Africa. With Donald Trump’s surprise win in the US presidential election last November, Bitcoin’s value soared past $100,000 (R2 million) in December for the first time, driven by his pro-crypto picks for top jobs. That was a 50% jump since before Trump’s victory. 😮 Closer to home, both Kenya and South Africa are primed for regulatory changes in the world of digital assets.
In Kenya, the government has finally realised that its crypto market—which has an estimated 4 million investors—needs proper oversight. The country’s National Treasury has drafted a new policy and bill to regulate cryptocurrencies, marking a big step forward for a space that’s been running wild with scams and shady operators. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is cheering from the sidelines, having previously flagged Kenya’s regulatory gaps as a risk for illicit activities.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s crypto market is buzzing too. The country is among the continent’s leaders in blockchain adoption, but not everyone is happy with the current rules. Crypto exchanges are urging the government to ditch the ban on pension fund investments, arguing that such restrictions are holding South Africans back from tapping into Bitcoin’s growth potential.
Local crypto heavyweights, like AfriDax CEO Frank Leonette, say it’s time for policies to catch up with the tech. Leonette pointed out that innovations like blockchain-based asset tokenisation are reshaping global markets, and South Africans shouldn’t be left behind. Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act was updated in 2023 to allow more flexibility for asset allocations—but cryptos are still a no-go zone. It’s worth noting that SA has a robust financial regulatory framework that has saved us from dubious financial practices in the past, so perhaps the caution around pensions is warranted.
With these changes on the horizon, all eyes are on how Kenya and South Africa will shape the future of crypto regulation in Africa. Will these new rules unlock opportunities?
7. Stilfontein: Over 70 found dead as rescues continue
Devastating scenes are playing out in the North West town of Stilfontein, where rescue efforts for the thousands of artisanal miners or zama zamas who have been trapped underground since July are taking place.
So far, more than 70 bodies of the miners have been retrieved from the Buffelsfontein gold mine’s abandoned Shaft 11. More than a hundred people have been arrested since the beginning of the operation on Monday.
The rescue operations commenced on Monday after a High Court ruling on Friday ordered the state to finalise and send a service-level agreement and a letter of appointment to Mines Rescue Services so that the rescue could begin.
We told you in November how the government had remained steadfast in its crackdown on illegal mining through Operation Vala Umgodi, a national campaign to eliminate illicit mining. The operation has seen more than 1,000 zama zamas arrested after resurfacing, leaving many others trapped underground, with little access to food or water, creating a growing humanitarian crisis. And now, we’re seeing this play out in real-time.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate the tragedy. DA member of parliament and spokesperson on mineral and petroleum resources, James Lorimer, said that Ramaphosa needed to establish the commission while the situation was still ongoing and before the illegal miners and witnesses disappeared.
The community of Stilfontein have accused Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe and Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu of murder over the deaths of the miners. After an angry crowd hurled insults at them at a briefing on Tuesday, the two ministers had to be spirited away.
This is a tragedy that was preventable. But the actions of the police and comments like those made by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni led to the preventable death of many of the miners who were afraid of being arrested. While we should all call out criminal activity, those responsible for this senseless crisis should also be held to account.
8. From AFCON bronze to World Cup aspirations: How CAF success is driving Bafana Bafana
From securing an AFCON bronze medal to setting their sights on World Cup glory, Bafana Bafana is dreaming big. And why not? South Africa’s recent successes in African football are finally sparking a new wave of optimism.
Early last year, the team clinched third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. While it wasn’t gold, the bronze medal marked a significant step forward for the national team, which hasn’t seen much silverware since their iconic AFCON win in 1996.
For the national coach, Hugo Broos, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) club competition experience gained by his players could be key for continued success in 2025.
South Africa’s representatives in CAF competitions —Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Stellenbosch FC—have been flying the South African flag with pride this season.
In the Champions League, the Orlando Pirates are already through to the quarterfinals, and the Mamelodi Sundowns need just a point to book their place in the knockout rounds for the 10th time. A strong performance against Moroccan team, AS FAR at Loftus on Sunday could see South Africa boast three teams among Africa’s top 16 clubs.
In the Confederation Cup, Stellenbosch FC’s debut campaign has defied the odds to secure a quarterfinal spot, underscoring the rapid progress of South African football. “Over the years we have steadily grown as a team in terms of our maturity,” said Coach Steve Barker. “Playing on the continent has enhanced that.”
With 15 of 23 players in the AFCON squad, the CAF experience has laid a solid foundation for Bafana Bafana. The hope is to translate club success into a World Cup qualification—a dream that has eluded South Africa since we automatically qualified when hosting the tournament in 2010.
But let’s not get carried away—South Africa still faces stiff competition from African giants like Senegal and Morocco. Consistency will be key if Bafana hopes to convert their AFCON success into a World Cup dream. Still, for now, fans have every reason to celebrate. Could 2026 be the year South Africa finally makes its mark on football’s biggest stage?
That’s it from us at The Wrap, an award-winning product of explain.co.za – simple news summaries for busy people. 💁🏾♀
The Wrap is sponsored by explain’s agency division. We specialise in content marketing for purpose-driven organisations, often with a pan-African reach. Mail info@explain.co.za for a quote.
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