Masabata Mkwananzi

Senior Multimedia Journalist at The Star

'Let this be a lesson': Bereaved families speak as accused driver drops bail bid; prayers offered

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Private scholar transport driver Ayanda Dludla abandoned his bail application after a crash that killed 14 schoolchildren in the Vaal. Families demand accountability, ...

Courtroom twist: Vaal tragedy driver revokes bail in surprising move

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

The 22-year-old Dludla is facing a string of serious charges stemming from the fatal Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash.

Community mourns: Vaal candlelight vigil honours 12 young lives lost

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Residents stood shoulder to shoulder, lighting candles and consoling one another during the Methodist Church-led service, which turned into a potent moment of shared ...

Ekurhuleni mayor faces scrutiny over alleged links to auditor's murder

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza faces mounting pressure as shocking allegations link him to the murder of City auditor Mpho Mafole and the shooting of DJ ...

Heavy hearts: What families of deceased 12 learners were forced to endure at the accident scene

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Grieving families of 12 learners who perished in a tragic incident are now facing another trauma - the revelation that the transport operator was operating with ...

BREAKING: 22-year-old driver arrested after deadly Vanderbijlpark crash that claimed 12 learners

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

The Gauteng Department of Education has revised the death toll from Monday's devastating crash on the R553 to 12 learners, down from the initially reported 14. Officials ...

Police rescue kidnapping victim in Johannesburg after eight-day ordeal

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

A 43-year-old man has been rescued from kidnappers after being abducted at gunpoint in Johannesburg. In a coordinated intelligence operation, police arrested eight ...

Death toll rises to 14: One learner airlifted, identification underway

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

A devastating crash between an overloaded minibus taxi and a truck has claimed the lives of 14 learners in Gauteng. As authorities work to identify all victims, ...

Behind the fatal school vehicle crash in the Vaal, driver's past history and permit under scrutiny

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

A private scholar transport vehicle carrying 18 learners collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark on Monday, killing 13 children. Police are investigating whether ...

Fight for fairness: SECTION27 challenges withholding of matric results for 50 learners

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

SECTION27 has launched a legal challenge against the Limpopo Department of Education for withholding 50 students' matric results for over a year. The students, accused ...

Joburg authorities crack down in Alex: Butchery closed for health breaches

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A Wynberg butchery has been shut down by City of Johannesburg officials after inspectors discovered multiple serious violations including expired food products, ...

Tragedy in Vaal: Two women found buried, five suspects arrested

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A ransom demand, a hijacked vehicle fitted with false plates and the discovery of two young women’s bodies in an open veld have led Gauteng police to arrest five ...

City Power pushes to recover R10 billion owed as it embarks on cutting electricity to defaulters

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

City Power has disconnected electricity to Summit, one of Hillbrow's busiest nightspots, over an unpaid bill of R2.6 million. The action is part of a larger operation ...

Education crisis as more girls than boys complete matric in South Africa

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

South Africa's Basic Education Minister warns of a growing crisis as significantly more girls than boys complete matric, with many male students dropping out between ...

Two arrested in Musina after police discover explosives during traffic stop

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Police in Musina arrested two men after discovering over 100 blasting cartridges and detonators in their vehicle during a routine stop for speeding on the N1 freeway. ...

Turning Darkness into Success: How A Township School Almost Achieved 100%

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Dopsenville Forte Secondary School in Soweto has achieved an extraordinary 99.61% matric pass rate despite persistent power outages and socioeconomic challenges. ...

Why City Power's Solar Billing Changes are Sparking Outrage

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

City Power's plan to convert all non-vending prepaid customers to post-paid billing has sparked outrage across Johannesburg, especially among solar users. The DA ...

How Gauteng township schools are shattering records — and why 2025 was their breakthrough year

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Gauteng's matric class of 2025 has achieved an unprecedented 89.06% pass rate, the highest in provincial history. Education MEC Matome Chiloane attributes this success ...

Overcoming power cuts and pressure: Sekele's journey to academic excellence and historic leadership

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Despite studying by candlelight during power cuts and facing relentless exam pressure, 18-year-old Sekele Ramatsobane made history as her school's first female president ...

Behind the distinctions: How Lufhereng's star pupil overcame matric pressure

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Despite overwhelming pressure at a school known for academic excellence, Tsundukani Baloyi of Lefhereng Secondary School transformed her challenging matric year ...

Matric success story: How Dimpho Nokwane's support system led to academic achievement

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Dimpho Nokwane from Lefhureng Secondary School attributes her matric success to her strong support system. From committed revision to participating in the district ...

Top matric achiever Silindile Lubisi shares journey of resilience and academic excellence

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Despite financial challenges and limited study space, Silindile Lubisi of Forte Secondary School topped her class for three consecutive terms and earned distinctions ...

From township struggles to law dreams: Sophy's inspiring matric journey

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Despite electricity outages and study challenges in her township, Sophy Tshilo found strength through school camps and community support during her matric year. ...

Top matric achiever Nondumiso Sangweni sets sights on accountancy career

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Nondumiso Sangweni, a top-performing matric student from Lefhereng Secondary School, shares how she overcame intense pressure and mental health challenges to achieve ...

Against all odds: How Lerato Potsanyane achieved academic success without electricity

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Despite studying without electricity and facing numerous township challenges, 17-year-old Lerato Potsanyane maintained top ten academic placements for three consecutive ...