News 14:00

BULLETIN 3 December 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launches the G20 presidency
# MPs call for an inquiry into South Africa’s soaring flight ticket prices
# And rugby: Springbok Willie le Roux is linked to a move to Bath next season

# President Cyril Ramaphosa today officially launched South Africa’s G20 presidency, focusing on climate action and debt relief for developing nations. Under the theme, Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, the focus will be on increasing climate finance for a just energy transition and ensuring sustainable debt solutions for low-income countries. During a news conference, Ramaphosa pledged to spotlight Africa’s development needs during the presidency, which culminates in the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg in November next year:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Trade, Industry, and Competition has called for a market inquiry into South Africa’s aviation sector due to soaring flight ticket prices. Chairperson Mzwandile Masina accused airlines like FlySafair, Lift, and CemAir of making air travel unaffordable. The committee also raised concerns about Airlink’s dominance and FlySafair’s alleged non-compliance with local laws. They are seeking an inquiry from the Competition Commission and have asked FlySafair to appear before Parliament for clarification.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called for constructive dialogue among education leaders regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, urging them to avoid public attacks. He criticised recent comments by deputy president Paul Mashatile and Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane against Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube, following her engagement with Solidarity and AfriForum over disputed clauses at NEDLAC. Makaneta says such attacks undermine efforts to improve the education system:

# Rugby: Springbok fullback Willie le Roux is linked to a move to English Premiership club Bath after the current season, opting not to extend his contract with the Bulls. The 35-year-old signed a two-year contract last year with the option of a one-year extention, but is reportedly rather interested in moving to Bath, coached by South African Johann van Graan. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus indicated earlier he was eager to hand the playmaker at least another two Tests to reach his 100 for South Africa.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-7-cents and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-392-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-644-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Human error led to the death of a young gorilla at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. The two-year-old western lowland gorilla, Eyare, died of traumatic head injuries after being struck by a hydraulic door a staff member accidentally activated. The worker was trying to separate Eyare from other gorillas for a solo training session. A Canadian nonprofit that advocates for the humane treatment of animals, called for an independent investigation into circumstances at the Alberta facility, which cares for over four-thousand animals.

Stay tuned for more news………….