It has been an eventful January, from South Africa's performance at Afcon, the floods. And the one thing no one saw coming, the US invading Venezuela. Here's what you might have missed:
Bafana's Afcon bid
Bafana Bafana came out guns blazing at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), but unfortunately it was not meant to be. They lost to Cameroon while in the last 16 of the tournament.
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In a very eventful final, Cameroon went on to with the AFCON cup after facing the hosts, Morocco.
SANDF soldiers drown in two separate incidences in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
In the second week of the month, the African National Congress kicked off their January 8 Statement celebrations in the North West.
While there, President Cyril Ramaphosa, once again, called on the party to renew itself. He also defended the appointment of Adv. Andy Mothibi as the new head of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
After public interviews for the replacement of outgoing head, Shamila Batohi, Ramaphosa used his powers as per the law to appoint a successor.
READ: ANC celebrates 114 years, US arrests Maduro, SA's coasts burning
Mothibi is currently head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and brings experience as a public prosecutor, magistrate and senior legal executive. Leonard Lekgetho has been appointed acting head of the SIU, to fill the vacancy left by Mothibi.
Batohi's last day is 30 January, while Mothibi is due to start at the beginning of February
In a surprising turn of events, the US invaded Venezuala and arrested its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The pair appeared in a New York court on charges of narco-terrorism where they pleaded not guilty.
The invasion and arrest has shaken the world, with countries, including South Africa calling it an infringement of International Law.
READ: ANC celebrates 114 years, US arrests Maduro, SA's coasts burning
President Donald Trump has threatened that Colombia, Cuba would be next. He has also repeated his desire to take over Greenland, which drew the ire of Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.
Maduro's vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez is currently acting president, despite Trump saying the US will 'run' the country and its oil resources; money from which will be managed by Trump. Allegedly to benefit America and Venezuela.
Floods ravaged parts of the North East of Limpopo and Mpumalanga ahead of the start of the new school year.
Over 30 homes in Mbaula, outside of Giyani in Limpopo have been destroyed after heavy rains wrecked havoc in the Mopani and Vhembe districts of the province.
The opening of schools in some parts of the Vhembe and Mopani Districts was delayed, with a preliminary opening date being Monday, 19 January 2026.
READ: Floods ravage Limpopo, Mpumalanga, It's George vs Steenhuisen, 2025 Matrics soar
Meanwhile, the 2025 National Senior Certificate pass rate rose to 88 percent - an increase of 0.7 percent from the previous year. KwaZulu Natal dethroned Free State for the top honours of being the top performing province.
Meanwhile the Independent Examination Board reported a decline in their 2025 matric pass rate. The IEB reported their pass rate of 89.1 percent, which is a slight drop from their 2024 89.3 percent.
A school in the Sekhukhune District in Limpopo called Naledi Ya Meso reported a 0 percent pass rate. Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba said the province takes accountability and action will be taken to revive the school.
In a sad start to the academic year, 14 pupils died after their scholar transport crashed into a truck in Vanderbijlpark.
The driver, Ayanda Dlula (22) survived and was subsequently arrested.
He appeared briefly before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court, where the State confirmed he faces, 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, one count of driving without a valid Professional Driving Permit (PDP) and one count of driving an unlicensed motor vehicle
Dludla has abandoned his bail application and the case has been postponed to 5 March.
Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride and suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi all appeared before Parliament Ad Hoc Committee.
This is despite political fixer Brown Mogotsi and private investigator Paul O'Sullivan both refused to appear before the Committee in fear for their lives. They cite security reason as the reason they do not want to appear. O'Sullivan has asked to appear virtually, meanwhile Mogotsi has asked Parliament to pay for his security over seven days.