The Western Cape Education Department is appealing to parents and guardians for patience, as the outcomes of the 2027 school admissions were made available on Thursday.  

Parents and guardians who submitted applications for grades R, 1 and 8 during the on-time application window now have access to the schools where their child has been accepted. 

Now, they have until 15 June to confirm which school they will be attending.  

MEC David Maynier has reiterated to parents that the early outcomes are not necessarily the final status of the application.  

READ MORE:  WCED Explains Why Learners May Appear “Double Booked” in Admissions – Smile 90.4FM

He said that because some learners apply to multiple schools, they may be accepted at multiple schools, but they still need to make a choice of which school they will attend.  

Thereafter, more spots at schools will become available for other learners. 

“It is important to note that over 46 000 learners received 2 or more offers, and as their parents confirm their choice of school, over 64 000 places will still open up to be offered to other parents,” said Maynier in a statement on Thursday. 

Education activist Vanessa le Roux said these concerns by parents and guardians over admissions happen every year, adding that little effort is made by the department to improve the system.  

She noted that she has been inundated with queries since the early hours of Thursday morning from parents whose children were not accepted, which has caused much frustration and anxiety.  

“I don’t know why the department didn’t sort that out yet… I have advised parents to appeal, that is a process, because what they are now going to say is they are waiting on parents to accept the placements, and then they will open a window for appeals. But I think the WCED should really look at their system, it’s not working,” said Le Roux, who sympathised with parents who are feeling disappointed and panic.  

Le Roux added that she had also been informed of challenges in accessing the WCED online portal. 

But Maynier said there may be parents and guardians who are disappointed but urged them to be understanding of the process. 

“We are still very early in the process, and we appeal to parents for patience and understanding as the process continues. 

*This article was written with Loushe Jordaan-Gilbert

Postbank has issued an urgent reminder to social grant beneficiaries still using SASSA Gold Cards to replace them with the new Postbank Black Cards before the 31 August 2026 deadline.

The bank says there are only two grant payment months remaining before the Gold Cards stop working permanently. Beneficiaries who fail to switch to the Black Cards before the deadline may be unable to access their social grant payments.

Postbank has stressed that the deadline will not be extended again and warned beneficiaries not to wait until the last minute as long queues and delays are expected closer to the cut-off date.

Postbank Chief Commercial Officer Thami Cele says the window to replace the cards is “closing fast”.

“We are concerned that many beneficiaries may think that they still have sufficient time or that the period will be extended.”

He warned that beneficiaries who do not have a Postbank Black Card after the deadline will first need to obtain a new card before they can access their grant payments.

“Anyone without a Black Card after the deadline will need to first obtain a new card before they can access payments. The replacement process is free of charge and can be completed at designated Postbank service points in participating retail outlets nationwide.”

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has hailed what he says is likely the single biggest breakthrough against the drug trade in South African history.

The Border Management Authority yesterday, 27 May, intercepted a consignment at Beitbridge valued at nearly R1 billion.

An intelligence-driven operation, coordinated out of the BMA’s National Targeting Centre, identified a truck travelling through Zimbabwe to Beitbridge.

The truck was intercepted and examined using the on-site sophisticated truck scanner, and a hidden compartment was discovered.

“Working over 8 hours, the BMA patiently dismantled the truck until a substance was discovered that was confirmed to be methaqualone, also known as ABBA, commonly used in the manufacture of mandrax.”

The Hawks and K9 units were called in, and 713kg of the drug was seized at an estimated value of R998 200 000.

Three Malawian suspects were arrested and taken to the Musina Police Station. The Hawks are conducting further investigations into the origin of the truck, its owner, and the intended destination of the drugs.

Schreiber says this “historic breakthrough” in the fight against smuggling and drugs demonstrates that the combination of intelligence-led investigations, digital transformation, and the commitment of the BMA is systematically rebuilding the rule of law at South Africa’s borders.

He has commended the women and men of the BMA for their commitment and diligence that resulted in this breakthrough.

“It sends a powerful message to would-be smugglers that South Africa is clamping down on illegality through intelligence and technology. This, as one of the most successful anti-smuggling operations our country has seen, shows that the BMA’s strategy is yielding results and serves to motivate us to do even more to restore the rule of law.”

RELATED READS: 

Airport police foil drug smuggling attempt by Dutch National

K9 unit helps Metro Police uncover R2.7 million drug stash in Bellville