News 11:00

BULLETIN 15 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Manamela seeks legal advice after the High Court suspends the NSFAS Administrator
# The South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says mechanisms are needed to manage North Korea tensions
# And rugby: The All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke is out of the RGR series

# Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela is giving the Pretoria High Court judgment urgent consideration and has sought legal advice on its implications, including the available legal remedies and the appropriate steps to be taken. The department’s spokesperson, Matshepo Seedat says this follows the High Court’s instruction that the appointment of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Administrator, Hlengani Mathebula be suspended, and the disbanded NSFAS board be reinstated:

# The Parliament Public Infrastructure Committee says the decision by Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson to take Expanded Public Works Programme recruitment onto the South Africa Youth Mobi platform represents an important shift in how government should create opportunities for unemployed South Africans. The committee chairperson, Rikus Badenhorst, says the reform is a game changer. He says allegations of political gatekeeping, patronage and abuse in the allocation of opportunities have been made against the EPWP far too long:

# The minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane says South Africa’s drive to build sustainable, inclusive and resilient human settlements has received a major boost with the launch of a dedicated UN-Habitat Country Office in the country. Simelane and UN-Habitat director, Anacláudia Rossbach, officially launched the office in Pretoria, marking a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between South Africa and the United Nations agency. The minister described the establishment of the country office as a significant step towards strengthening efforts to transform human settlements, upgrade informal settlements and advance sustainable urbanisation.

# The DA in the Western Cape calls on Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie to cooperate with an ongoing investigation into about three-million-rand raised for Central Karoo projects during his time as mayor. The party’s Dave Bryant says the provincial government is still trying to establish whether the money was paid into the municipality’s accounts and used for its intended purpose:

# South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War and discuss ways to halt Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear programme. Speaking at a ceremony marking South Korea’s 81st Liberation Day, Lee called for an end to hostility and the replacement of the current armistice with a permanent peace regime. The Koreas have technically remained at war since 1953. Lee also called for a multilayered security system to manage tensions and prevent conflict, despite North Korea remaining unresponsive to Seoul’s previous dialogue efforts.

# And rugby: All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks after suffering a shoulder tendon injury. Clarke was injured during New Zealand’s 54-nil victory over the Sharks in Durban and will return home for surgery. Coach Dave Rennie says no replacement will be called up unless further injuries occur. Clarke joins Billy Proctor and hooker George Bell on the injury list. The first Test in the series of four against the world champions will take place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 22.

Stay tuned for more news………….