News 06:00

BULLETIN 15 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Gwarube wants more focus on the foundation phase in 2025
# Over 100 illegal miners were extracted in Stilfontein
# And drones are used by criminals in Britain to deliver weapons  in jails

# With schools reopening for the 2025 academic year today, minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, says there needs to be a greater focus on the foundation phase. The minister will visit Kwezilesizwe Primary School in the Eastern Cape today to welcome Grade R and 1 learners for their first day of school. She will also visit the historic Healdtown Secondary School to address the 2025 matric class. Gwarube says it is important for learners to have the foundations of literacy and numeracy at the foundation phase:

Meanwhile, AfriForum’s Alana Bailey has called on Gwarube to publish provincial throughput percentages alongside matric pass rates. Bailey argues that omitting Grade 10 to 12 dropout rates hides significant educational challenges. Bailey has criticised South Africa’s 64-percent throughput rate, emphasising that presenting both rates would provide a picture of national and provincial education obstacles and impact on economic growth and social stability:

# The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure has extracted a total of 118 illegal miners in Stilfontein in North West as of yesterday afternoon, with 36 confirmed dead. Rescue efforts are continuing with the use of a specialist-operated cage. Last week, illegal miners claimed over 100 people had died from starvation and dehydration underground. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says 82 arrests have been made for illegal mining, trespassing, and immigration violations:

# The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has opened a criminal case against a former senior official over gross negligence that cost the department 1.1-billion-rand. Former supply chain management director, Musa William Zondi, was dismissed last week following an investigation into discrepancies regarding the procurement of a consulting firm. The probe found that one single firm was awarded a total of 29 contracts. The department has also laid criminal charges against three more senior officials who are suspected of corruption and financial malfeasance.

# Organised crime gangs in the United Kingdom are using drones to deliver drugs and some weapons to inmates inside jails, threatening national security. Chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, says the gangs can deliver contraband to jails holding extremely dangerous prisoners. This follows inspections of Manchester prison in northwest England and Long Lartin prison in western England. The Manchester prison has a serious problem with drugs, weapons, mobile telephones, and even takeaway meals being delivered by drones to cell windows. Some 220 drone sightings have been reported at the jail.

# Rugby: Maro Itoje has replaced Jamie George as England captain for the Six Nations. Head coach Steve Borthwick named a 36-man squad with Itoje taking over from his Saracens team-mate. George has in his role as hooker often found himself being replaced early in the second half when games were in the balance. He has now been demoted to vice-captain. Itoje’s promotion is another leadership role for the 30-year-old lock, who took over as Saracens captain at the start of the season.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-91-cents and the euro at 19-rand-47-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-5-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-556-dollar-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-674-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….