For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: DA eyes majority win in election; DBE applauds ‘successful’ start to 2026 matric exams; And, Moody’s says South Africa is on right track for rating upgrade

DA eyes majority win in election

The DA is feeling positive ahead of the November local government election, with national spokesperson Jan de Villiers urging voters to judge the party on its current achievements in the Western Cape and in State departments under the Government of National Unity.

When asked how the party plans to deal with the complex issues facing municipalities in Gauteng and in eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal, De Villiers laid blame for decaying infrastructure on the ANC government.

He further pointed to the DA’s governance in Cape Town, saying it would serve as a blueprint for the rest of the country.

While the DA is seeking over 50% in the local election and beyond, it acknowledges the reality where that might not be possible.

While the DA won't negotiate coalitions before an election, De Villiers said it will choose coalition partners based on stability and value alignment.

DBE applauds ‘successful’ start to 2026 matric exams

The Department of Basic Education has welcomed what it says is the successful start of the 2026 National Senior Certificate final examinations, pledging to maintain integrity, credibility, and administrative efficiency throughout the exam cycle.

The nationwide exams commenced yesterday, with thousands of candidates across all nine provinces sitting for the Computer Applications Technology Paper 1 Practical alongside various language papers.

According to the department, the “smooth rollout” is the direct result of extensive, months-long preparations shared between national and provincial education departments.

To safeguard the credibility of the qualification, strict operational protocols have been deployed across all writing centres.

The department emphasised that provincial education departments, examination officials, school management teams and educators remain central to keeping the system secure and resolving any emerging challenges swiftly.

The ministry confirmed it will continue to closely monitor daily administrations to ensure the Class of 2026 completes this milestone under fair, secure, and conducive conditions.

And, Moody’s says South Africa is on right track for rating upgrade

South Africa is heading in the right direction for its first credit-rating upgrade by Moody’s Ratings since 2009, provided the country’s fiscal performance continues to improve.

The agency, which rates South Africa Ba2 — two notches below investment grade — revised South Africa’s credit outlook to positive from stable in May. It says the country has reached an inflection point after stabilising its debt and delivering pro-growth economic reforms.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers his mid-term budget review on October 21 and is expected to show continued growth in the country’s primary budget surplus – a gauge of how much revenue exceeds non-interest expenditure – amid higher income.

Evan Wohlmann, a vice president at Moody’s said the baseline forecast was for debt that peaked in the last fiscal year at 87% of gross domestic product to gradually decline to 84% of GDP by the end of the decade, supported by an uptick in economic output.

Africa’s largest economy has expanded by less than 1% on average over the past decade. But structural reforms are beginning to deliver, with Nedbank Group predicting growth will edge up to 1.9% in the next two years with 2.5% possible by 2030.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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