News 09:00

BULLETIN 8 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA demands the immediate resignation of minister Blade Nzimande and Ernest Khosa of NSFAS
# Tennis: Coco Gauff retains her Auckland Classic title
# And, Oppenheimer is a big winner at the Golden Globe Awards,

# ActionSA is demanding the immediate resignation of the minister o Higher Education, Science and Technology, Blade Nzimande, as well as the Chairperson of National Student Financial Aid Scheme board, Ernest Khosa. This follows explosive reporting by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, revealing the pair allegedly received kickbacks related to the fraudulent Direct Payment of Allowances scheme. ActionSA’s Hluphi Gafane says Outa’s revelations exposed a web of corruption:

# The Competition Commission of South Africa says it will continue to act against schools that not following school uniform guidelines in the country. In 2021, the commission reached an agreement that schools abandon exclusivity deals with suppliers. But many schools across the country have not implemented this, and the commission has already received over 220 complaints. The commission’s spokesperson, Karabo Motaung, has told ENCA that the commission is still taking complaints:

# The ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe says the ruling party have a challenge with former president Jacob Zuma who opted to walk away from the ANC, to lead something they do not know. Mantashe was speaking during a church service in Manyeveni in Mbombela yesterday. He urged party members not to be alarmed as it is normal for former presidents in Africa to lead rebel movements. Mantashe called on all South Africans to remain calm and urged the country to pray for the ANC as it celebrates 112 years of existence.

Tennis: Coco Gauff held her nerve to beat Elina Svitolina in a gruelling three-set final on Sunday to retain her Auckland Classic title in an ideal warm-up for the Australian Open. The world number three and top-seeded American demonstrated her grit by fighting back to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 against the Ukrainian second seed, whose participation had been in doubt after limping through her semifinal the night before. Svitolina only returned to the circuit in April last year after having a baby.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-74-cents and the euro at 20-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 43-thousand-622-dollars-78-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-34-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-79-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Oppenheimer was the big winner at the Golden Globe Awards, taking home five awards including the top prize for Best Film. Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr were both recognised for their acting performances, while Christopher Nolan won best director. Succession scored the most wins in the TV categories following its acclaimed fourth and final season. Sarah Snook, who played Shiv Roy, was named best leading actress in a TV drama, with Kieran Culkin taking best leading actor. Meanwhile, Barbie won the first box office achievement award, after grossing 26-billion-rand worldwide.

Stay tuned for more news………….