News 09:00
BULLETIN 21 August 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# President Ramaphosa is concerned about the ongoing crisis at the Financial Aid Scheme
# The GOOD Party questions AfriForum and March and March’s collaboration
# And, 40 children are among the dead after a boat capsizes in northwestern Nigeria
# President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the ongoing crisis at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. Last week, the High Court in Pretoria suspended the appointment of professor Hlengani Mathebula as administrator and restored the scheme’s remaining board members. This comes after minister Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela dissolved the board and placed the institution under administration in May. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told the Daily Maverick that the governance and financial stability of NSFAS are vital in enabling access to higher education for millions of young people.
# The GOOD Party says AfriForum and the MK Party had nothing in common besides a taste for litigation to vent their disdain for the policies of government, before the anti-immigrant organisation March and March befriended both. AfriForum and March and March have agreed to work together on legal issues, despite significant differences between the two lobby groups. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, says if March and March and AfriForum consolidate their relationship, where does that leave the MK Party:
# The Alliance of Citizens for Change has strongly condemned the brutal and senseless murder of former Knysna mayor and ANC councillor Ndoda Aubrey Tsengwa. According to a preliminary investigation, the 48-year-old councillor was travelling home with three other people when an unknown assailant opened fire on the vehicle before fleeing on foot in the Joodsekamp area on Wednesday night. ACC president Masizole Mnqasela has reiterated its demand for capital punishment to be reinstated:
# At least 50 people, including 40 children, have died after an overloaded boat capsized in Nigeria’s northwest Sokoto state yesterday. The boat was believed to be carrying more than 70 people. According to reports, the boat had been carrying farm owners and labourers hired to harvest rice. Sixteen people have been rescued. The National Inland Waterways Authority says rescue efforts are continuing. Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, with overcrowding, poorly maintained boats, and weak enforcement of safety rules often blamed for deaths.
# Golf: World number two Rory McIlroy bounced back from a disappointing display at last week’s FedEx St Jude Championship with a fine opening-round six-under-par 64 at the BMW Championship in Missouri. The Northern Irishman shares the lead with American quartet Gary Woodland, Wyndham Clark, JJ Spaun and Chris Gotterup. World number one and defending champion Scottie Scheffler had a horrible opening round and is eight strokes off the lead. McIlroy says he is feeling better about his game:
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-8-cents and the euro at 18-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-94-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-866-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-543-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-83-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….