latest news
As of March 2026, Bushbuckridge is focusing on strategic planning to address ongoing infrastructure challenges, with the Executive Mayor leading sessions to improve service delivery. Recent issues include severe water shortages affecting dozens of villages due to infrastructure vandalism, and protests regarding high crime, unemployment, and lack of basic services.
march , 2026
the Mpumalanga Department of Education is primarily
managing school reopening schedules following severe floods and celebrating the 2025 matric results. January 19, 2026
Current School Reopening & Weather Disruptions
Current School Reopening & Weather Disruptions
Gradual Reopening: Due to the devastating floods that have claimed 37 lives across Mpumalanga and Limpopo, schools in flood-stricken areas did not open on the official start date.
Teacher Return Today: Educators who could safely reach their schools were expected to report back today, Monday, January 19, 2026, to assess site safety.
Learner Return Tomorrow: Learners in affected areas are expected back on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, provided conditions remain safe.
Previous Suspensions: Classes in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality were temporarily suspended on January 15 and 16 due to waterlogged roads.
2025 Matric Results & Top Achievers
Provincial Pass Rate: Mpumalanga achieved an 86.55% pass rate for the Class of 2025, an improvement from 84.9% in the previous year.
Top Learner: Luyanda Ndlozi from Elangwana Secondary School is the overall best learner in the province and ranked among the national top 40.
National Excellence: Khaya Khoza and Sheriff Brendan from DD Mabuza Comprehensive High School
achieved a perfect 300/300 in Technical Mathematics, recognized as the best in the country for this subject.
Best Municipality: Emalahleni Local Municipality emerged as the top-performing municipality with a 94.0% pass rate.
Departmental Leadership & Governance
HOD Reinstatement: Head of Department (HOD) Lucy Moyane returned to work today, January 19, after a suspension related to a laptop procurement scandal. She received a written warning for negligence.
Learner Placements: The department is currently addressing a backlog of approximately 9,000 learners still awaiting school placements for the 2026 academic year, primarily in fast-growing urban centers.
