South Africa is facing a literacy crisis, with 15% of Grade 3 learners unable to read for meaning at the required level. This raises urgent questions about the foundations of the country’s education system and the long-term social and economic impact of early learning gaps. Reading proficiency by Grade 3 is a critical milestone, it marks the shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” When children fall behind at this stage, the consequences often follow them throughout their schooling and beyond. Proficiency varies sharply between languages and provinces: Some African language learners (e.g., Sepedi, Xitsonga) show very low reading outcomes, with very high percentages unable to read at all. Through this discussion, we examine the root causes of early literacy challenges, the role of teachers, parents, and policymakers, and what practical solutions can turn the tide.

Gambling has become increasingly accessible, especially through mobile devices. Young people spend significant time on their phones and are constantly exposed to online advertisements encouraging them to “click and win.” As a result, many young individuals find themselves trapped in cycles of debt due to gambling. In this episode of Expressions, we will hear firsthand accounts from individuals affected by gambling addiction — people who have lost jobs, vehicles, and relationships as a result of their gambling addiction .

South Africa is facing a severe crime crisis with approximately many people get killed every day. The violence is driven by gang wars, armed robberies and zama zama deadly turf. Major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town now rank among the most dangerous in Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared organised crime the nation's biggest threat and announced the deployment of troops to the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces. Soldiers will patrol alongside police to dismantle gangs and shut down illegal mining.

Population growth & rising demand: Rapid urban growth, especially in Gauteng has outpaced water system capacities. Johannesburg itself serves millions, straining reservoirs, and distribution networks. In Johannesburg, these national problems converge into acute local water shortages, with some neighbourhoods experiencing days or weeks of dry taps and reliance on water trucks for daily needs. The water crisis cuts across social and economic life, but the youth are affected in different ways: Schools without reliable water face hygiene issues, which can lead to closures or make learning environments unsafe. Handwashing, sanitation, and canteen services all rely on consistent water access. Youth unemployment in South Africa remains high and unreliable water supply affects small businesses, informal enterprises, and job creation especially in sectors like food services and hospitality that rely on clean water. Ongoing service delivery protests and dissatisfaction among youth reflect broader frustration with governance failures. Leaders including President Cyril Ramaphosa have recently acknowledged “worsening water shortages” as a major national concern and are under political pressure to deliver solutions ahead of elections. As Expressions we ask Should the current water crisis be declared a national disaster.

The President of the Republic of South Africa will deliver the State of the Nation Address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on Thursday‚ 12 February 2026. The State of the Nation Address sets out government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead‚ highlights achievements‚ flags challenges and unlock development interventions for the coming fiscal year. The State of the Nation Address marks the official start of the Parliamentary programme. As following the President’s coming SONA address, the question we are asking you today is: Will SONA 2026 give clear indication of how government is going to tackle challenges faced by young people?

After completing matric or Grade 12, young people have multiple pathways, not only university. These options vary by academic performance, financial situation, interests, and career goals. Good news is there are options after matric, skills-Based Paths which are very Important right now. One does not necessarily need a university degree to succeed. Trades & Technical Skills are in demand and often lead to self-employment: TVET Sector Overview: Size & Distribution South Africa has 50 public TVET colleges spread across all nine provinces. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are public post-school institutions in South Africa that focus on skills-based, practical training designed to prepare learners for specific trades, occupations, or vocations. They are government-supported and part of the Department of Higher Education and Training DHET Western Cape Government. The core aim of TVET colleges is to bridge the gap between secondary schooling and the workplace either by getting students ready for employment, further technical study, or self-employment/business ownership especially with the high rate of unemployed youth in South Africa.

"Post-matric" refers to educational options available after completing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or matric exams, such as TVET colleges, universities, and skills development programs. "Bogus colleges" are unregistered institutions that exploit students by offering unaccredited, worthless qualifications, often during the post-matric application period. As thousands of school leavers prepare to begin their post-Matric studies, the Department of Higher Education and Training is warning learners to be on high alert for 'bogus' colleges.The Department said these unregistered institutions often target Matrics during results season, luring them with promises of quick qualifications that are not recognised

Final Matric exams for the Class of 2025 concluded on 27 November 2025. Department of Basic Education After exams end, marking and quality assurance processes take place through December and early January. Umalusi (the quality-assurance body) oversees these to ensure integrity and credibility before results are released. Individual results become available to candidates, these may be accessed at school or exam centre where the learner wrote their exams or online via the Department of Basic Education results portal. Some results may not immediately reflect online due to technical issues, but schools and district offices can help resolve these issues. Candidates can view results online on the Department of Basic Education’s official results site starting early morning on 13 January 2026 Most learners collect their Statement of Results at their school or the exam centre where they wrote. This official document lists subject marks and final qualification status.