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

Making headlines: Motshekga says some schools using churches due to lack of space; South Africa at key stage of nuclear revamp as power grid reels; And, Uganda declares end of Ebola outbreak

Motshekga  says some schools using churches due to lack of space

Pupils in inland provinces returned to school today for the start of the 2023 academic year.

While many parents were able to find placements at schools for their children, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said others faced difficulties.

While conducting oversight visits at Cosmo City schools today, she said about 1 500 Gauteng pupils still did not have placements at schools.

She said schools are using churches where they don't have enough space, pointing to certain circumstances which she says are beyond the Department of Education’s control.

She added that the department has committed that in 10 days' time, schools must have more space.

South Africa at key stage of nuclear revamp as power grid reels

South Africa has entered a critical phase of revamping its sole nuclear plant and needs it to run according to plan to avoid deepening power cuts that are already at a record and wreaking havoc on the economy.

The first of two units at the 1 940-megawatt Koeberg plant was shut down last month for refueling and the replacement of its steam generators, work that’s expected to be completed in early June, according to Eskom. The overhaul of the second unit is due to begin a few months later.

The head of Eskom’s nuclear unit quit last year, while the utility’s chief executive officer will leave end of March, raising concerns that the company won’t be able to stick to its schedule. The plant, which was originally set to operate until 2024, is one of Eskom’s most reliable, making its return to service key to meeting the nation’s energy needs.

And, Uganda declares end of Ebola outbreak

Neighbouring countries to Uganda are encouraged to continue strengthening their capacities to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

This after Uganda declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak, less than four months after the first case was confirmed in the country’s central Mubende district on September 20, 2022.

The outbreak was caused by the Sudan ebolavirus, one of six species of the Ebola virus against which no therapeutics and vaccines have been approved yet.

In total there were 164 cases (142 confirmed and 22 probable), 55 confirmed deaths and 87 recovered patients.

More than 4 000 people who came in contact with confirmed cases were followed up and their health monitored for 21 days. Overall, the case-fatality ratio was 47%.

The last patient was released from care on 30 November when the 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak began.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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