News 08:00

BULLETIN 25 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu says the Expropriation Act is a step toward equal access to resources
# A students’ union warns of university shutdowns over unresolved issues
# And cricket: Markram and Jansen lead the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to victory

# Union federation Cosatu says the newly signed Expropriation Act is a significant step toward equal access to land and resources. According to the federation, the act replaces outdated apartheid era laws, enabling the government to address land inequality through expropriation with full, partial, or no compensation. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks calls for swift implementation to empower the dispossessed and promote transformation:

In its reaction, the Institute of Race Relations says the newly signed Expropriation Act poses a serious threat to property rights and economic growth. They plan to challenge the act in court, citing it could be used to take land into state control without compensation. The institute’s Makone Maja, warns the law undermines investor confidence and contradicts president Cyril Ramaphosa’s claims at the World Economic Forum of fostering a better investment environment:

# The South African Union of Students has warned of a possible university shutdown if issues like funding, accommodation, and living allowances are not resolved. The union is demanding a living allowance increase of two-thousand-rand and a resolution of funding and accommodation problems. According to News24, other student groups, like the MK Party student movement, also support the shutdown. However, the Department of Higher Education and Training maintains there will be no shutdown, as funding has been provided to many students.

# The US State Department has ordered a freeze on new funding for almost all American foreign development assistance following an executive order issued by Donald Trump. Around 70-billion-rand in Congress-authorised funding for future arms shipments to Ukraine remains, but it is unclear whether the president will decide to spend it. Humanitarian officials criticise the order because it does not exclude life-saving health programmes such as clinics and immunisation programmes. The head of Oxfam America, Abby Maxman, warns it could have life or death consequences for children and families around the world.

# And cricket: Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain, Aiden Markram, and Marco Jansen led their team to a 14-run victory against the Joburg Super Kings in their SA20 match at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Friday evening. Markram scored 43 from 29 balls to lead his team to 165 for 4 after choosing to bat first. Jansen’s 2 for 19 in his four overs restricted Super Kings to 151 for 8 in reply. Sunrise Eastern Cape are now in second place on 19 points, behind log leaders Paarl Royals on 20 points from six matches.

Stay tuned for more news………….