Update@Noon

Tensions continue to simmer between Washington in the US and the South African government. This as the Will for Peace 2026 maritime exercise officially launched over the past weekend. This year's week long naval exercises are led by the People's Republic of China, with South Africa acting as host nation. The collaborative action by BRICS countries has however hit a snag with Iran and India both pulling out of naval activities. This follows recent geopolitical tensions where the US threatened 'serious military action against Iran. For an in-depth analysis and chat on this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Steven Gruzd, Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs..

The Competition Commission says its is looking at developing a new national digital monitoring tool in order to track and monitor exorbitant school uniform prices. This as the commission seeks to curb the exclusive supply agreement that force parents to buy school uniforms from single and often high priced outlets. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to senior analyst at the Competition Commission, Sithabiso Buthelezi

As South Africa's schools prepare to reopen tomorrow, thousands of learners in Gauteng still remain without school placement for the upcoming academic year. This is despite government assurances that the crisis is under control. Last week, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) reported that 4,858 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners are unplaced. These are learners whose school applications were done through the 2026 online admission process. Earlier our reporter Calvin Dludla caught up with a parent whose child has not yet been placed.

The rights group SECTION27 has gone to the Limpopo High Court on behalf of 50 former matric pupils accused of group copying. The group from Baphutheng Senior Secondary School, are accused of copying Business Studies Paper 1 and Economics Paper 2 in the 2024 NSC exams. According to SECTION 27 the learners' results have been withheld for over a year, despite no evidence of cheating. SECTION 27 argues similarities in answers stem from shared teaching methods at an under-resourced school. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SECTION27 attorney Thato Gaffane

Residents of the Kouga Municipality in the Eastern Cape have been urged to remain vigilant and report any flare-ups to emergency services. This as mop-up operations continue in Zwartenbosch. In St Francis Bay the fire has been contained. Firefighting crews are monitoring the area for possible flare-ups. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Nandipha Plaatjie.