News 15:00

BULLETIN 8 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ATM demands the resignation of minister Nzimande and the NSFAS chairperson
# The Legal Practice Council faces a backlash over English-only admission exams
# And, cricket: Proteas wicketkeeper retires from Tests

# The African Transformation Movement demands the immediate resignations of Higher Education, Science and Innovation minister, Blade Nzimande, and the chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Ernest Khosa. This follows the release of a damning report and recordings by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, revealing allegations of fund mismanagement and corruption. The accusations suggest Nzimande and Khosa received financial benefits from service providers involved in tenders. ATM’s Zama Ntshona says they should take responsibility for the deeply rooted corruption:

# AfriForum demands the reinstatement of Afrikaans admission examinations for attorneys from the Legal Practice Council. This request comes in response to the council’s recent decision to conduct entrance exams exclusively in English, causing concern among Afrikaans-speaking legal professionals. AfriForum’s Alana Bailey criticised the council’s rationale, arguing the move deprives individuals of their language rights and represents an attack on the Afrikaans language. According to Bailey, AfriForum is prepared to take further action if the council does not respond positively:

# Cape Town port’s manager, Rajesh Dana, says they plan to take up their rightful place as one of the leading ports in the world and it is spearheading efforts to collaborate with all players to improve productivity and eradicate backlogs. The port is situated on one of the world’s busiest trade routes and Dana says it will always retain strategic and economic importance for that reason alone. He says the planned development of the Culemborg precinct of land adjacent to the port is set to be a game-changer to enhance capacity. 

# Cricket: Proteas wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from Tests after playing only four games for South Africa since making his debut in 2019. The 32-year-old scored 104 runs in his four Tests, but one-thousand-638 in one-day games and 710 in T20s. Klaasen says although the longest format is his favourite, he believes this is the right decision for him at this stage of his career. He says red ball cricket shaped him into the player he has become, but for now a new challenge awaits.

# And, to end with: Climate change is affecting more than just the environment, it’s taking a toll on our emotions. Psychotherapist Barton Goldsmith highlights how individuals experience eco-anxiety and despair, influenced by climate change. Goldsmith says chronic worry, fear, and grief about the future are becoming prevalent. Research suggests that addressing this emotional toll is crucial for building a more resilient future.

Stay tuned for more news………….