News 12:00

BULLETIN 28 August 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The High Court rules in favour of Daily Maverick in Collen Mashawana’s gag order attempt
# The FF Plus is cautiously optimistic about the National Education and Training Council 
# And a bridegroom is killed by celebratory fire on his wedding in Turkey

# Daily Maverick has welcomed the High Court in Johannesburg’s dismissal with costs of businessman Collen Mashawana’s urgent application against the publication. Mashawana had sought an order to prevent further reporting by Daily Maverick and investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh on corruption allegations against him, his foundation and suspended Independent Development Trust CEO Tebogo Malaka. Acting Judge Alex Pullinger struck the application from the roll. Myburgh says this is a big victory for investigative journalism and media freedom.

# The Freedom Front Plus is cautiously optimistic that the National Education and Training Council will make a positive contribution to South Africa’s education system. Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube announced the new members of the council yesterday. The council will serve as an independent advisory body to the minister on key education policies and reforms. The FF Plus’ Wynand Boshoff says they are not hopeful that the country’s education will break free from its current ideological foundation:

But teacher union Sadtu rejects the appointment of Penelope Vinjevold as the council’s chairperson. Sadtu’s spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi, says Vinjevold’s appointment signals an alarming reaffirmation of the supremacist interests that have historically privileged colonial and Western-centric educational models, at the expense of authentic transformation:

# Rugby: Loose forward Pete Samu has been recalled to the Wallabies squad for the first time since 2023 for the two Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina. Experienced prop Allan Alaalatoa and flyhalf Tom Lynagh have also been included in coach Joe Schmidt’s 36-man squad. The squad features only one uncapped player, Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan. Schmidt says while it is disappointing to lose some players, he is pleased to be able to lean into the squad depth that they are trying to create.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-68-cents and the euro at 20-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-66-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-395-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-91-cents a barrel. 

# And finally: A bridegroom died after being hit by celebratory gunfire after his wedding in northern Turkey. As the newlyweds were being escorted home after the ceremony, the 23-year-old groom, identified as Ali K, was wounded, allegedly at the hands of a female relative of his wife. The 47-year-old woman was detained by security forces and two unlicensed pistols were found in her garden. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident. Celebratory gunfire is common at weddings in Turkey’s northern Black Sea region.

Stay tuned for more news………….