News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day.
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News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
Less than half of 2023’s Grade 10s made it to matric last year.
Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24 Image: Maskot/Getty Images
Faces of the drop-out rate | Less than half of 2023’s Grade 10s reached matric in 2025
– ActionSA and Build One South Africa claim the “real” matric pass rates are lower than the official 88%, but experts criticise their calculations as oversimplified and misleading.
– A significant number of students drop out between Grades 10 and 12 due to various factors, including academic struggles, financial pressures, and personal circumstances.
– Experts emphasise the need for nuanced analysis of dropout rates and targeted interventions to address the root causes of disengagement from the education system.
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba signs on the dotted line. Mashaba is flanked by Tshepo Mashiane of the CCM and AICM president Wiseman Dibakwe.
Siyamtanda Capa/News24
ActionSA signs pre-election pact with two little-known parties
– ActionSA has partnered with the CCM and AICM in preparation for upcoming local government elections.
– The merger aligns with ActionSA’s “Green Umbrella Project”, aiming to unite diverse parties for a stronger community voice.
– AICM councillors will represent ActionSA publicly, while CCM aims to advocate for creatives in councils and arts policy changes.
NPA head Shamila Batohi is a witness at the enquiry into the South Gauteng director of public prosecutions, Andrew Chauke, taking place at the Master of the High Court in Pretoria.
Thahasello Mphatsoe/News24
Chauke inquiry enters uncharted territory as Batohi refuses to return to witness stand
– The inquiry into Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office is stalled due to Shamila Batohi’s refusal to testify without her own legal team.
– Batohi claims she is being treated unfairly and cannot continue without independent legal representation, a request denied by the Justice Minister.
– Justice Nkabinde has cautioned against procedural paralysis and emphasised that legal disputes must be formally presented to the panel.
Rescue teams, assisted by the NSRI, airlift an injured man from a wrecked car that plunged about 100 metres off Chapman’s Peak Drive on Sunday morning, after the vehicle veered off the road and smashed onto rocks below.
X/@ChapmansPeakSA
Man dies in hospital following Chapman’s Peak car crash
– A man was airlifted from a car wreck 100m below Chapman’s Peak Drive after his vehicle plunged off the road.
– The man, 47, later died in the hospital despite rescue efforts by NSRI and EMS.
– The cause of the accident is under investigation, and a case of culpable homicide has been opened.
Treasury director-general Duncan Pieterse.
Supplied/GCIS
SA nears fiscal turning point, Treasury chief says
– South Africa’s budget will show government debt stabilising relative to GDP for the first time in almost 20 years.
– The budget will also show a third straight primary surplus, supporting fiscal credibility and economic-growth prospects.
– Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will present the new budget with revised estimates on 25 February.
Dewald Brevis celebrates at Newlands.
Toby Gaunt / Sportzpics for SA20
ANALYSIS | Brevis peaking single-handedly boosts Proteas’ World Cup chances
– Dewald Brevis’s exceptional performance in the SA20 final, scoring 101 off 56 balls, has sparked excitement about his potential impact on the Proteas in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
– Brevis’ recent form and maturity, combined with his ability to dominate at No. 4, position him as a key weapon for the Proteas batting line-up alongside other in-form players like Tristan Stubbs.
– With Brevis in top form, the Proteas have a strong chance to contend for the T20 World Cup title.
Khutjo Green.
Supplied/e.tv
‘I’m not coping, but I will never show it’: Khutjo Green on divorce and losing her mom
– Khutjo Green is struggling to cope with the loss of her mother, describing it as the most challenging experience of her life.
– Green recognises she needs therapy to deal with the compounding trauma of her divorce and her mother’s death, but work demands make it difficult to seek help.
– After her divorce, Green envisions future relationships as partnerships with separate houses on the same property, valuing her personal space.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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