News 06:00

BULLETIN 22 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa fires the minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane
# Solidarity accuses FlySafair of delaying negotiations
# And Julius Malema’s firearm case is postponed for judgment

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane. Her axing comes after months of controversy over the appointment of Sector Education and Training Authority board chairpersons. In June, Nkabane told Parliament her appointment of the 21 Seta chairpersons was guided by an advisory group that included advocate Terry Motau. However, Motau and three others have denied being involved in the process. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as the new minister and Nomusa Dube-Ncube as deputy minister.

# The Inkatha Freedom Party has reaffirmed its commitment to the government of national unity and government of provincial unity in KZN, pledging to heal divisions and promote inclusion. Marking a year of impact, the party’s president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, highlighted progress in fighting crime and defending Ithala Bank as vital to KwaZulu-Natal’s economy. He calls for urgent reforms and unified national effort rooted in dignity, service, and accountability:

# Trade union Solidarity says FlySafair is dragging its feet in resolving a labour dispute with its pilots and downplaying the impact of the ongoing lockout. The union has criticised the airline for refusing to engage urgently, despite mounting travel disruptions and passenger frustration. Solidarity’s Helgard Cronjé says negotiations are only set to begin on Wednesday, even though they had asked to meet earlier:

# The East London Regional Court has postponed the firearm case against EFF leader Julius Malema to 29 September for judgment. Malema and co-accused Adriaan Snyman face charges including unlawful firearm possession and reckless endangerment. The charges stem from a 2018 EFF rally where Malema allegedly fired a rifle. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali expressed confidence in securing a conviction, while judgment now rests with Magistrate Twanet Olivier:

# Twenty-five countries, including Britain, France, Canada, and Japan, have condemned the killing of civilians and children seeking food and water in Gaza. Over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid, with most of those killed having been close to aid sites managed by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. In a statement released under the UK Foreign Office, the countries say the Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity. The countries have reiterated their call for a ceasefire.

# Rugby: A huge challenge awaits Steve Tandy after he is appointed new head coach of Wales. The team just ended an 18-match losing streak when they beat Japan, and the former Welsh player will have a mammoth task to get his charges ready for the next World Cup in two years. Tandy succeeds Warren Gatland as permanent head coach after the New Zealander was forced out during this year’s Six Nations. Tandy’s first match in charge will be against Argentina in Cardiff on 9 November.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-60-cents and the euro at 20-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 117-thousand-518-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-395-dollars-69-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….