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One South African school had a 0% pass rate in the 2025 matric exams
The Naledi Ya Meso Secondary School in Limpopo province recorded a dismal 0% pass rate in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
Ekurhuleni backtracks on land expropriation, and Eskom rejects $13 billion donation
These are the key developments happening in South Africa today, 20 January 2026.
Say goodbye to South Africa’s economy as you know it
South Africa’s 2026 outlook is its strongest in years, driven by domestic reforms, fiscal and monetary improvement, favourable global conditions, and rising confidence in local assets despite lingering political risks.
News24 | Denmark sends more troops to Greenland amid Trump threat to not ‘think purely of peace’
Denmark has sent additional troops to Greenland amid US President Donald Trump’s threats to take control of the self-governing Danish territory.
Eskom’s biggest customers are kissing it goodbye
South African miners are increasingly investing in renewable self-generation to escape soaring Eskom electricity prices that threaten competitiveness and profitability.
Defence minister is investigating herself to avoid accountability – analyst
Military analyst Darren Olivier says Minister Angie Motshekga’s investigation into her own department ignoring instructions from the President is an attempt to escape accountability.
Syria tightens grip after Kurdish pullback, says IS prisoners escape
RAQQA, Syria, Jan 19 (Reuters) – Syrian government troops tightened their grip across a swathe of northern and eastern territory on Monday after it was abruptly abandoned by Kurdish forces in a dramatic shift that has consolidated President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule.
Sydney beaches stay closed after three shark attacks in two days
SYDNEY, Jan 20 (Reuters) – Beaches in the north of Sydney remained closed on Tuesday after a man in his 20s was bitten by a shark – the city’s third shark attack in two days – as heavy rains left the waters murky and more likely to attract the animals.
BUSINESS REFLECTION: After the Bell: Of phone chargers and Greenland
In the EU’s fight – if there is to be one at all – against Donald Trump’s obsession with Greenland, the bloc isn’t likely to prevail as it did over another evil American last year.
EXPLAINER: Who’s who in the SA-Iran naval drill fiasco
Military experts have suggested that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, along with all the top officers implicated in the Iran naval drill fiasco, should face the music. Who are the major players in this mess?
ANALYSIS: Instability is the norm in KZN — an MK government would follow the trend
KwaZulu-Natal has lived through instability in governance since the dawn of democracy. Premiers and their members of the executive council just don’t survive long enough to complete whatever they start. Zuma’s party would be no exception.
COALITION POLITICS: ‘We will take over’, vows MK party in KZN, claiming it’ll improve service delivery
The MK Party says it is ready to take over KwaZulu‑Natal as it lines up a new motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli, with support expected from the NFP and EFF. Here’s what the party plans to do.
WILDLIFE UNDER THREAT: Targeted poaching poses existential risk to Africa’s dwindling lion population
Targeted poaching for lion body parts is rising across Africa — and the numbers tell a troubling story.
WEATHER WOES: Relief in the skies, ruin on the ground as deadly floods kill 37, trigger national disaster status
After days of relentless rain and catastrophic flooding in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, weather conditions are beginning to ease as the SA Weather Service downgrades its highest warning level. As recovery efforts ramp up under a national disaster declaration, parts of the Kruger National Park have cautiously reopened, even as the full extent of the damage continues to emerge.
US POLITICS ANALYSIS: Are the first green shoots of rebellion in the US springing up?
The Trump administration cloaks in populist promises authoritarian, self-serving policies such as harsh immigration tactics, erratic trade and foreign strategies, institutional erosion and personal grift. But, just maybe, there are some green shoots of resistance breaking through the hard ground.
Bulgarian President Radev resigns amid speculation he will form his own party
SOFIA, Jan 19 (Reuters) – Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said on Monday he will resign, fuelling speculation that he will form his own political party to run in upcoming parliamentary elections after the previous government quit last month.