Top news items in major S. African media outlets

CAPE TOWN, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The following are news items in South African major news outlets on Thursday:

-- Two opposition parties - the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkata Freedom Party (IFP) - have called on the government to provide leadership amid fears that chaos would break out once universities open for registration.

The fears come in the wake of President Jacob Zuma's announcement of free higher education for some students as well as encouragement from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema that matriculants who passed well should show up at universities of their choice to be registered. (News24)

-- Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will announce the 2017 matric results in Auckland Park, Johannesburg on Thursday evening.

The previous year's overall pass rate stood at 72.5 percent, a 1.8 percentage points improvement from 2015's 70.7 percent.(South African Broadcasting Corporation)

-- Concerns have been raised about how investors will react to electricity utility Eskom's decision to reinstate two executives who had been suspended on serious charges last year.

The power utility announced on Wednesday that Matshela Koko and Prish Govender were reinstated after being cleared of any wrongdoing while the Democratic Alliance (DA) is pursuing criminal charges against Koko for misconduct. (Eyewitness News) Enditem