Retrenchments, AI, cost of living behind SA’s labour crisis:

Unions and employers must strike a delicate balance between rights and responsibilities in an evolving workplace

– The Mail & Guardian

Professional development of natural sciences teachers in cape winelands education district:

Advancing Knowledge Non-Profit Company (AK NPC) has continued with its  professional development programme for Natural Sciences educators into the second  term of the school year. During the first term, the programme dealt with Life Sciences  as stipulated by the CAPS curriculum for Natural Sciences at both Intermediate Phase  (grades 4-6) and senior phase (grades 7-9). The second term programme was  directed at the Matter and Materials knowledge area generally referred to as chemistry.  This second of four professional development sessions planned for Cape Winelands  natural sciences teachers in 2025 took place in the science laboratory of Noorder Paarl  Secondary in Paarl – a science laboratory constructed through the partnership  between AK NPC, Garden Cities Archway Foundation (GCAF) and Western Cape  Education Department (WCED). The training offered to intermediate phase teachers  was conducted on Friday 25 April while senior phase teachers attended the training  on Saturday 26 April 2025.

The continued professional development sessions are  arranged around the practical and experimental (inquiry-based) hands-on application  of curriculum content required in each term in order to assist teachers in their preparation of that term’s practical content. Prof Shaheed Hartley (AK NPC Director)  welcomed teachers to the sessions and reminded teachers of the importance of  including the inquiry-based activities in their everyday lessons. The participation of  teachers was arranged in collaboration with the Cape Winelands education district’s  subject advisors Mr Ziyaad Moerat and Ms Chantel Cupido. The facilitators for the  chemistry sessions were Ms Zaiboeniesa Ahmed (intermediate phase) and Prof  Shaheed Hartley (senior phase) assisted by AK NPC staff Somila Dlakavu and Yusra  Joubert (science interns) and projects coordinator Melissa Petersen.

CHEMISTRY FOR INTERSEN (GRADE 4-7) TEACHERS

A total of 33 InterSen (grades 4-7) natural sciences teachers attended the training  session at Noorder Paarl High School on Friday 25 April 2025. The facilitator introduced teachers to the basics of chemistry at intermediate phase, guided them  through the important components of the inquiry-based approach including the  scientific method and conceptions around dependent, independent and constant  variables, investigative and experimental activities in solubility of compounds,  elementary chemical reactions, paper chromatography, compressibility of matter, acid

base reactions and indicators, forces and balancing of forces, testing the strength of  materials and the periodic table. The chemistry activities used hands-on practical  examples such as various chemical reactions between substances, chromatography,  paper strength and applicability of materials, pH testing of everyday substances using  different indicators to get every teacher hands-on and participating. Teachers were  exposed to chemistry activities that they could take directly into their science lessons.  The inquiry-based science philosophy and hands-on activities directed teachers to ask questions of themselves, their colleagues and the facilitators. The following are some  of the teachers reflections:

• I really enjoyed today’s session and made sure I video recorded all of the  activities especially the ones that I normally struggled to teach. [Teacher] • These experiments are really straight forward. Now that I have had an  opportunity to do them myself I can see how my learners will enjoy doing these  in groups. A wonderful way to keep them busy but also learning. [Teacher] • As a new teacher to natural science and especially the experimental part of it,  I feel confident enough to try this out with my learners but only as Prof said,  after I tested it on my own first. [Teacher]

• I am so glad that our teachers participated so excitedly today. It is now up to  them to implement what they have experienced here. I will follow up on them to  see the progress of inquiry-based teaching in their classes. [Science Subject  Advisor]

CHEMISTRY FOR SENIOR PHASE (GRADES 8 and 9) TEACHERS A number of the senior phase natural sciences teachers were also teaching FET  Physical Sciences which allowed the session to flow much smoother. The facilitator  introduced the notion of science, science education and inquiry-based science.  Teachers understanding of the “scientific method” were challenged by a simple  problem statement that had them offering their best solutions or hypotheses which  they had to test resulting in interesting results and conclusions. Teachers debated the  basic concepts of chemistry, matter, phases of matter, mixtures, elements, the periodic  table, formation of compounds, chemical reactions and balancing of equations. Each  of the concepts was accompanied by a challenging activity which was meant to have  teachers not only be hands-on but also questioning their own understanding of the  concepts. Teachers engaged in chromatography, separating liquids of differing  viscosity, acids and bases experiments including titrations for neutralisation,  preparation of various gases including oxygen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide,  combustion of metals and non-metals in oxygen, etc.. Teachers expressed their  appreciation of the session in their reflections:

• I enjoyed the session as we don’t always have the opportunity to try out these  experiments and, chemistry can sometimes be very scary. We were given time,  space and advice on each of the practical and experiments that we participated  in. [Teacher]

• This was a higher grade session as we were challenged in terms our thinking,  practical skills and our knowledge of chemistry. Overall it was very enjoyable  and exciting. [Teacher]

• As a new teacher, this was an important session as it guided me on how to do  practical and experimental work in my chemistry lessons. I really enjoyed the  various chemistry activities. I video-recorded them also so now I have a record  that I can refer back to. [Teacher]

• I am very appreciative of the fact that Prof and his team took their time to do  inquiry-based training at the intermediate and senior phase where most of the  challenges higher up can hopefully be alleviated. Teachers must make sure that  learners get to do at least some of the activities in the natural science lessons.  Thank you again for the exciting sessions. [Science subject advisor].

– The Mail & Guardian

Timing the rand: A South African perspective on monthly NFP trading strategies:

The United States Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report, released on the first Friday of each month, has long stood as one of the most influential economic indicators on the global stage. The data captures employment trends in sectors outside farming, military and government, offering a snapshot of U.S. labor market health. 

For traders worldwide, particularly in emerging markets, this report can operate as a powerful volatility trigger. In South Africa, where the rand (ZAR) is deeply influenced by external macroeconomic developments, the NFP release frequently sparks substantial price movement. As such, understanding and strategizing around NFP has become essential for those trading the rand.

Why the Rand Reacts to NFP

The rand’s status as a highly liquid emerging market currency makes it especially responsive to shifts in global risk sentiment. Since the NFP impacts expectations for U.S. interest rates, any surprise in the data—whether positive or negative—can rapidly strengthen or weaken the dollar. These changes often feed directly into the USD/ZAR currency pair—a topic regularly covered in Exness insights, which analyzes macroeconomic drivers and currency reactions. 

In times of unexpectedly strong U.S. job creation, market sentiment may tilt toward dollar strength, leading to a depreciation of the rand. Conversely, weak data may boost the rand as traders pull back from the dollar in search of higher-yielding emerging market assets. The net effect is a heightened state of volatility surrounding the NFP release.

Pre-NFP Positioning in the South African Context

Traders often position themselves ahead of the NFP based on consensus forecasts, technical indicators, and macroeconomic sentiment. In South Africa, the period leading up to the data release is typically marked by cautious optimism or risk aversion, depending on broader economic conditions. 

Data from the South African Reserve Bank, commodity performance—particularly gold and platinum—and domestic political developments all play a part in dictating expectations. Hedging strategies are common during this phase, especially among institutional investors seeking to limit downside exposure. Price action in the rand frequently tightens, forming clear support and resistance zones that can act as technical entry or exit points for short-term strategies.

Post-NFP Volatility and Trading Opportunities

Once the NFP figures are released, the reaction in the USD/ZAR pair is often immediate and pronounced. High-frequency trading algorithms, followed by institutional and retail responses, contribute to wide intraday price swings. Spikes in volume and momentum-based strategies typically dominate this period. 

The direction of the initial move depends largely on the gap between the reported data and market expectations. In South Africa, short-term traders often leverage this volatility using derivatives such as CFDs or futures contracts to capture fast price movements. Although the immediate aftermath can present lucrative opportunities, the risk of slippage and false breakouts remains elevated.

Statistical Trends in Monthly NFP Performance

Over the past decade, statistical patterns have emerged in how the rand behaves during NFP weeks. Analysis of intraday price movement in the USD/ZAR pair often shows a narrowing range on Thursdays, followed by a breakout pattern on Friday mornings. 

Historical data also suggests that the rand is more sensitive to upside surprises in NFP than downside misses, largely due to carry trade dynamics and South Africa’s dependency on capital inflows. Traders with access to historical volatility charts and economic calendars often look to match technical setups with these recurring statistical tendencies, forming the backbone of many monthly trading strategies.

Integrating Local and Global Indicators

Combining NFP-based strategies with South African economic indicators can provide a more nuanced view of potential outcomes; for instance, the timing of South Africa’s own employment and GDP releases can either complement or counteract the directional bias following the U.S. data. 

Meanwhile, commodity prices—particularly gold and coal—also supply leading indicators for rand strength or weakness, given their substantial contribution to the national trade balance. Here, inflation trends and interest rate decisions from the South African Reserve Bank can act as longer-term drivers, anchoring expectations amid shorter-term volatility surrounding the NFP. Ultimately, this synthesis of data sources forms a critical component in professional trading models.

Medium-Term Implications for the Rand

While NFP-induced volatility can dominate the short-term outlook, the report often serves as a barometer for broader macroeconomic sentiment. For South Africa, where economic growth has slowed and investor confidence fluctuates, muscular U.S. job data can signal rising interest rate differentials that put sustained pressure on the rand. 

This macroeconomic divergence typically plays out over weeks or months, influencing bond yields, equity flows and foreign direct investment. Monthly NFP trends, when observed over a longer horizon, can thus offer insights into directional themes for the USD/ZAR pair, furnishing valuable guidance for medium- to long-term positioning.

Institutional vs. Retail Participation

Institutional actors such as banks and hedge funds typically drive the bulk of volume during NFP periods, using advanced modeling to anticipate and respond to economic surprises. However, in recent years, increased participation by South African retail traders has reshaped the NFP terrain. 

Access to online platforms, mobile trading apps and real-time news feeds has democratized the space, allowing smaller players to engage with macroeconomic data in real time. Despite differing capital scales and risk appetites, both institutional and retail actors rely on similar data points and react to the same fundamental shifts, leading to a convergence in trading behavior during key economic events.

Verdict: A Tactical Approach to Volatility

Trading around the NFP release remains one of the most dynamic monthly events for the USD/ZAR currency pair. In South Africa, where the rand is exposed equally to local structural challenges and global capital flows, the NFP functions as a critical pivot point. Crafting successful strategies requires a blend of technical proficiency, fundamental insight and disciplined risk management. As global and local conditions continue to interact in complex ways, monthly NFP trading offers simultaneous challenges and opportunities for those navigating the volatile terrain of the South African rand.

– The Mail & Guardian

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