News 11:00

BULLETIN 13 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Iran is reportedly set to withdraw from the controversial BRICS Navy exercise at Simon’s Town
# RISE Mzansi is calling for greater investment in maths and physical science
# And rugby: A strong Bok Women’s Sevens team is selected for the Dubai qualifier

# Iran has reportedly been asked to withdraw from the BRICS Navy drills off the South African coast in an effort to prevent a further escalation in diplomatic tensions with the US. Two ships from Iran arrived at the Simon’s Town Naval Base in Cape Town last week. Warships from China, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia are also participating in the Will for Peace naval exercise. South Africa’s request for Iran’s withdrawal apparently comes amid government’s reluctance to further strain its US relations given ongoing trade talks.

# RISE Mzansi says the education system must work towards future-proofing learners by investing in mathematics and science, making basic education reform a critical enabler of inclusive economic growth. Results for the matric class of 2025 show the mathematics pass rate dropped from 69 to 64-percent, while physical sciences edged up slightly to 77-percent. RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana says South Africa must prioritise its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education:

The GOOD Party has congratulated the matric class of 2025 for achieving a pass rate of 88-percent under difficult circumstances, saying the learners demonstrated resilience. More than 700-thousand learners sat for the exams, and 656-thousand passed. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, says the quality of education learners receive is still a major concern:

# The Southern African Agri Initiative, Saai, says the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak should be declared a national disaster to protect farmers and accelerate containment of the outbreak. It adds a declaration would primarily unlock faster access to resources, personnel, procurement processes, and stricter movement controls – the most essential tools for slowing and containing the spread of the disease. Saai urges government to act decisively, placing the livelihoods of family farmers who form the backbone of rural communities and food security at the centre of the national response to the crisis.

# Rugby: Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Cecil Afrika has selected a strong 12-player squad for this weekend’s decisive World Rugby Challenger Series tournament in Dubai. South Africa, grouped in Pool A with Thailand, the Czech Republic and Mexico, must reach the final to progress to Sevens 2, the next step in their bid to regain core status in the World Series. Nadine Roos will captain the side, joined by 15-a-side teammates Zintle Mpupha, Bryhandré Dolf and Ayanda Malinga. Afrika says the players know what is at stake.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-43-cents and the euro at 19-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-963-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-584-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-82-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….