Lifestyle
Posts List
Health
Learner shot dead inside school grounds at KwaNdengezi High School
A 19-year-old KwaNdengezi High School learner, Sphephelo Ngubane, was shot multiple times inside the school premises on Monday, 14 September 2026, and died at the scene.
According to preliminary reports, Ngubane was on the school property when the shooting occurred. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and could not be saved.
The killing has sent fear through the KwaNdengezi High School community and raised renewed concerns about the safety of learners and educators inside schools.
Police hunt for suspect
Law-enforcement authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and are working to identify and arrest the person responsible.
Authorities have also appealed to members of the community who may have information about the incident to come forward.
The investigation is expected to focus not only on the circumstances of the shooting, but also on how the alleged shooter gained access to the school grounds.
Questions around school security have consequently emerged, with authorities assessing measures that could prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Premier condemns killing
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli condemned the killing and called for urgent action from law-enforcement agencies.
Ntuli said schools should be safe environments for children and young people, rather than places where they are exposed to deadly violence.
“Silence must not shield those who perpetrate violence. We owe it to Sphephelo, his family and the entire school community to ensure that justice is served,” Ntuli said.
The Premier has directed law-enforcement agencies to urgently identify and arrest the perpetrator, while strengthened security measures and psychological support have been ordered for learners, educators and others affected by the tragedy.
Support for traumatised learners
The shooting has left learners and educators dealing with the loss of a fellow learner in circumstances that occurred within their own school environment.
Professional psychological support and trauma counselling have been arranged to assist those affected by the incident.
The response comes as schools across South Africa continue to face concerns around violence, weapons and the ability to maintain safe learning environments.
For the KwaNdengezi High School community, however, the immediate focus remains on supporting those affected, assisting investigators and seeking answers over the circumstances that led to Ngubane’s death.
The police investigation remains ongoing.
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
