For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: 88% matric pass rate but concerns over STEM; ActionSA to challenge ‘top secret’ Phala Phala report classification; And, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni seeks seventh term after four decades in power

88% matric pass rate but concerns over STEM

Politicians have welcomed the performance of the Matric Class of 2025 in the National Senior Certificate examinations, which saw a national pass rate of 88%, an improvement from 87.3% in 2024.

However, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education noted a low uptake and throughput in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics projects which it said limits the country’s drive towards economic growth, technological development and global competitiveness.

The Department of Basic Education suggested that efforts be directed towards establishing a technical school in all districts to help drive growth in these subjects.

GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron said the department must build short- and long-term exchange programmes for learners and educators, and academic projects and sports fixtures outside the traditional class or colour-coded comfort zones.

ActionSA to challenge ‘top secret’ Phala Phala report classification

ActionSA today said it has begun preparing legal papers to challenge the decision of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to classify the investigation report into the conduct of the Presidential Protection Unit members relating to Phala Phala as “Top Secret”.

In March last year, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu told members of Parliament that the report into the Phala Phala scandal involving President Cyril Ramaphosa was classified as “Top Secret” according to the Minimum Information Security Standards.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont accused the IPID of “a pattern of obfuscation”, saying the party’s appeal filed last month was ignored.

In April last year, ActionSA tried to uncover the findings of the IPID’s investigation, which were then subject to numerous delays, including claims by IPID that its email system had been down.

Beaumont explained that ActionSA’s legal papers would take a three-pronged approach.

It will challenge the constitutionality of the MISS Cabinet policy, which is the basis for how documents are classified.

It will also challenge the rationality of the decision to classify this report as Top Secret and ask the courts to compel IPID to hand over the report to ActionSA.

And, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni seeks seventh term after four decades in power

When Yoweri Museveni seized power in Uganda in 1986, he said "the problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power."

The 81-year-old president and former rebel is seeking a seventh term in office on Thursday after nearly four decades leading the East African nation, the vast majority of whose citizens have never known any other leader.

Museveni came to power on a wave of optimism after leading insurgencies against autocratic governments. That goodwill was soon squandered amid allegations of graft and authoritarianism.

Museveni has acknowledged that some government officials have engaged in corrupt practices but says all those who have been caught have been prosecuted.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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