News Bulletin of 17 January 2026, 8am

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Education MEC Matome Chiloane praises Gauteng Matric Class of 2025
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Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has congratulated the Matric class of 2025 in the province.
Gauteng came in the third place with a pass rate of 89.06%.

The Johannesburg West District recorded the highest matric pass rate in the province, achieving an outstanding 96.20% pass rate, securing its position as the top-performing district in all of South Africa for the third consecutive year.

MEC Chiloane says the results show the work that learners have put in and the support that’s been provided to schools.

Individual results for the 2025 matric class became available to candidates on the 13th of January 2026.
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Cape Flats Book Festival returns for the fifth year in Mitchell’s Plain
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The fifth annual Cape Flats Book Festival will take place at West End Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain from the 31st of January, hosted by the literacy non-profit organisation Read to Rise.

The public event aims to celebrate reading, writing and storytelling across generations.

More than 90 speakers are expected to take part in over 50 sessions designed for children, young adults and adults.

The Programme Director Roscoe Williams says activities will include poetry readings, writing workshops, storytelling sessions, a puppet show, food stalls and exhibitors.
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NSC candidates urged to enroll in Second Chance Matric Programme
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The Department of Basic Education is urging National Senior Certificate candidates who were unsuccessful in their initial exam attempt, to take advantage of the official Second Chance Matric Programme.

The aim of the Programme is to provide support to learners who have not been able to meet the requirements of the National Senior Certificate.

Eligible candidates may register to rewrite or add subjects at no cost, in line with the department’s regulations for the May/June examination cycle.

Department spokesperson Terence Khala confirmed that the programme is offered free of charge to qualifying candidates.
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Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
FlySafair named most punctual airline in the Middle East and Africa
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South Africa’s FlySafair has been named the most punctual airline in the Middle East and Africa, achieving an on-time performance rate of 91.06% in 2025, according to Cirium’s annual On-Time Performance Review.

The airline operated 98.9% of its scheduled flights, keeping cancelations among the lowest in the region.

The rankings are based on more than 25 million data points from over 600 sources, making it one of the most trusted benchmarks of operational performance worldwide.

FlySafair has consistently ranked among the world’s most punctual airlines, since launching operations in 2014 and has earned multiple global awards for on-time performance.

The airline says the achievement reflects its commitment to operational discipline and coordination.
Split analysis
Local: 97 words (35%), National: 180 words (65%), International: 0 words (0%)