News 08:00

BULLETIN 14 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa commends the 2024 matric class
# BOSA says the matric pass rate is misleading
# And Cuba joins South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the matric class of 2024 on multiple, unprecedented achievements that testify to learner’s personal commitment and advances in the basic education sector. The matrics achieved an 87.3-percent pass rate, the country’s highest-ever national pass rate. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says these results demonstrate the agency, resilience, and pride of the youth in creating a better future:

Meanwhile, Build One South Africa says the 2024 matric pass rate is misleading, as the true pass rate is a much lower 51-percent. It says this points to an education system jeopardising young people’s future. BOSA’s acting spokesperson, Roger Solomons, says of the 1.2-million learners who began school in grade 1 in 2013, just 615-thousand have passed matric in 2024:

# The DA has condemned plans by the City of Tshwane and Gauteng Province to build housing for Mamelodi flood victims on a protected Cullinan heritage site. The area includes graves from the 1700s, Boer War forts, a 1906 hospital, and a vital wetland. DA Gauteng spokesperson for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Leanne De Jager, criticised the government for ignoring three failed environmental impact studies, endangering the site’s historical and ecological significance. The DA demands alternative land and dignified housing for affected residents.

# Cuba has joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. In December 2023, South Africa instituted proceedings against Israel, claiming violations of the Genocide Convention concerning the treatment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Several countries have since joined the case, including Spain, Libya, Mexico, Turkey, Colombia and Nicaragua. Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza following the October 2023 Hamas attack, with nearly 46-thousand-600 people killed.

# Cricket: MI Cape Town returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 33-run victory over Paarl Royals in the SA20 Cape derby at Newlands. New signing Reeza Hendricks’ 59 provided the foundation for the home side to post 172 for seven in their 20 overs. In reply, George Linde recorded his career-best SA20 figures with three wickets for 15 runs in four overs, as the Paarl Royals were restricted to 139 for nine. MI Cape Town captain, Rashid Khan, says they delivered an all-round performance:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-97-cents and the euro at 19-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-956-dollars-8-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-671-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….