News 12:00

BULLETIN 15 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the presidential inauguration in Mozambique
# South Africa closes the Groblersbrug border post to Botswana amid severe flooding
# And Tennis: Novak Djokovic becomes the player with the most Grand Slam singles match appearances

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Maputo for the inauguration of Mozambique’s president-elect Daniel Chapo, following the 9 October elections. This comes amid ongoing protests as opposition leader Venancio Mondlane called for fresh unrest. In a statement the Presidency says that the event marks a step toward peace and development in Mozambique. Ramaphosa has expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and supporting unity among Mozambicans. Ramaphosa will be accompanied by International Relations minister Ronald Lamola and minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

# South Africa has suspended operations at the Groblersbrug border crossing with Botswana at Tom Burke in Limpopo after heavy rains caused severe flooding. Climate data reveals the northwestern part of the province experienced record rainfall between 11 December and 10 January, disrupting regional logistics and economic activities. According to the Border Management Authority, the water level of the Limpopo River rendered the route unsafe. This key trade route supports copper mines in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, connecting to South Africa’s Durban port.

# Cosatu has reiterated its call for the 7th Parliament to be bold and extend the compulsory schooling years from Grade 9 to 12. Cosatu’s Zanele Sabela says an excessively high number of learners exit school in Grade 9 as currently allowed. She says extending compulsory schooling years would help young people stay in school and improve their chances of finding employment:

# Donald Trump will speak online to the annual meeting of the global political and business elite in Davos next week, days after taking office as US president. Trump will be sworn in at the US Capitol in Washington on Monday, the first day of the World Economic Forum gathering in the Swiss Alps. The US president’s return to the White House was already expected to dominate discussions in Davos, a gathering that he attended in person during his first term in office.

# Tennis: Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic is through to the third round of the Australian Open after battling past 21-year-old qualifier Jaime Faria. The Serb, who has become the player with the most Grand Slam Singles matches played in the Open Era with 430, defeated the Portuguese, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 and 6-2, to record his 379th major win. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz eased past Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, 6-0, 6-1, 6-4. Djokovic says reaching these milestones is special:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-87-cents and the euro at 19-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-224-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-683-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….