News 13:00

BULLETIN 11 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will undertake an official visit to the United Arab Emirates
# Thoko Didiza admits concerns over local government capacity ahead of the elections
# And, SADTU will explore possibilities of allowing its members to join medical aids of their choice 

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will from tomorrow be on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The annual event which runs until Thursday will be held under the theme, Nexus of Next: All Systems Go. The summit brings together Heads of State and Government, as well as leaders from the private sector and civil society. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says South Africa enjoys close cooperation with the UAE:

# ANC Member of Parliament and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza says the ANC admits concerns over service delivery, unemployment and local government capacity, ahead of local government elections. Speaking amid the January 8 Statement, at the Maruleng Stadium in North West yesterday, Didiza says the party reflects on its purpose, and future direction. She emphasised that the party is pledging renewal, economic transformation and better governance to improve lives:

# The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union says it will explore possibilities of allowing members to join medical aids of their choice. The union is against the 4.5-percent increase which will come to effect next month. The union’s spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi emphasised it never signed the Public Service Co-Ordinating Bargaining Council resolution in 2006 which led to the establishment of the Government Employee Medical Scheme as a closed medical scheme for public service employees and their dependents:

# The Western Cape Education Department is ready for the start of the 2026 school year. Teachers will return to schools on Monday, with learners starting on Wednesday. The department is focused on ensuring a smooth start to the term and encourages parents to ensure their children are prepared for the school day. The department’s Bronagh Hammond says schools and staff are set to welcome learners back:

# The African Development Bank has welcomed the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Trade and Development Bank Group as partners at the Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones. This is to strengthen multi-partner efforts to accelerate agro-industrialisation across Africa. TDB Group President and Managing Director Admassu Tadesse says to date, the African Development Bank has committed about 15.3-billion-rand to develop over two dozen SAPZ’s in eleven countries. He says the institution looks forward to deepening collaboration with Alliance partners to scale bankable agro-industrial opportunities.

# And finally soccer: Seven-time champions Egypt claimed the final place in the last four of the AFCON competition after knocking out defending champions Ivory Coast  3-2 in a thrilling encounter last night, ending the Elephants’ reign. Hosts Morocco will play star-studded Nigeria while Senegal, who were first to advance to the semi-finals, will now face Egypt. The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday 14 January, with the finals in Rabat next Sunday.

Stay tuned for more news………….