Umalusi reports that South African examination bodies are broadly prepared to administer 2026 year-end exams, involving about 1.08 million candidates at 9,183 centres. Its audit covered candidate registration, staffing, assessment moderation, security and exam-management systems.
South Africa’s State of Safety Report 2025/26 recorded 9.9% fewer railway occurrences and 14.8% fewer injuries, but fatalities rose 25.9% to 175. Additional details were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
A R100 billion investment project is planned for Maluti-a-Phofung in Free State, with a launch at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Centre. The project is intended to support manufacturing and related industries and is projected to create about 6,500 permanent jobs.
The source describes “Seoulting” taking place at Sangbong Food Alley on Friday, Oct. 23, with restaurant experiences, paired outdoor dining dates, and neighborhood walks. It was published on Oct. 8, 2026.
The CSIR FuturePHARMA facility was launched in Tshwane to help advance scientific discoveries into pharmaceutical products. The source says South Africa imports about 98% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make medicines locally.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile said participation in the citizen-led dialogue is growing, with pilot meetings and support from provincial governments and local stakeholders. The source describes efforts to keep the process inclusive and credible and translate its outcomes into action.
The source lists RISE advisers and schools currently receiving targeted intervention through the programme. It provides no further details about the intervention or its outcomes.
More than R70 million in private investment has been secured for a redevelopment at 137 Lower Marine Parade in Durban. The municipality says the project is expected to add commercial space and jobs.
The SIU reported approximately R28.536 billion in recovered cash and assets, prevented potential losses, and contracts set aside during the 2025/26 financial year. It also reported closing or conducting 5,917 investigations and submitting 48 reports to the Presidency.
Gauteng launched a digital system for processing transport operating licences. The source says it is intended to improve access, efficiency, transparency and regulatory compliance.
A four-day water resources and water quality management course for public servants was launched in Pretoria. Additional details about the course’s outcomes were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
An agreement with the University of Fort Hare, student leaders and NSFAS sets out measures to improve student accommodation, safety and funding. The measures include inspections of residences identified by students as being in poor condition.
A government outreach programme in eMbongombongweni, Louwsburg, will offer residents access to documents, social and health services, and youth mentorship, alongside donations to local schools and elderly residents. Further details were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
A national campaign will visit higher-education institutions from 6 to 16 October 2026, sharing information on rental rights, landlord and tenant responsibilities, and dispute resolution. It is led by the Department of Human Settlements with partner organizations.
The source reports a planned launch of a KwaZulu-Natal portal for viewing government property, proposing uses, and submitting complaints or queries. It says an audit covered 10,067 assets and that 81 unused buildings and land parcels were released to the public.
Illustrative image: Author : Olusola David, Ayibiowu World Teachers Day. The event has consistently been held on October 5 since 1994 and the goal is the same; to honour educators' associations around the world. Mr Olusola David, Ayibiowu and his colleagues File:Olusola David, Ayibiowu And His Colleagues From Custodian At NUT, World Teachers' Day, Lagos Mainland Branch.jpg from Custodian Life Assurance Limited were at the World Teachers Day, Lagos Mainland. Who went there for a presentation of Custodian Life Assura — Olusola David, Ayibiowu/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
South Africa’s Department of Basic Education honoured approximately 485,000 educators for World Teachers’ Day. The source also notes the 2026 National Teacher Awards and a focus on teacher development.
President Ramaphosa praised the newly launched FuturePHARMA facility at the CSIR campus in Tshwane, saying it would strengthen South Africa’s capacity for local vaccine and medicine research and pandemic preparedness.
Illustrative image: More Tree O'clock planting in Sturry Road Community Garden This tree planting is in the Sturry Road Community Garden (which has been created on a landfill site to the east of Canterbury). Trees are being planted along side the fence of the park and ride near the garden. As part of National Tree Week, Breathing Places and its partners invited thousands of people to plant as many trees as possible in the hour between 11am and 12 noon on Saturday 5 December 2009. This is to break a Guinness World R — David Anstiss/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
The campaign has planted more than seven million trees across South Africa since April and aims to plant one billion over five years. The source says it is intended to support food security, job creation, rural development and economic empowerment.
SMG and Mediheal unveiled seven Seoul Edition products. The excerpt also describes a month-long pop-up at Olive Young N Seongsu and says Mediheal donates to a social contribution effort, but provides no further donation details.
The item concerns sources of training and development for school business professionals in schools and trusts. Further details were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
The eThekwini Municipality plans road-safety campaigns, community engagements and public-transport activities during October as part of Transport Month. The supplied excerpt ends mid-sentence, so further programme details are not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager received a three-year safety permit from South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator after an assessment of its safety systems and controls.
