News 13:00

BULLETIN 26 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A homeschooling civil rights group challenges the BELA Act in the Constitutional Court
# The National Treasury seeks innovative proposals to borrow money
# And cricket: A young South African batsman shatters an international record

# Homeschooling civil rights group, the Pestalozzi Trust, has filed a Constitutional Court challenge against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, arguing that Parliament failed to ensure meaningful public participation. Spokesperson Chris Cordeiro says inadequate notice and limited engagement time make the law procedurally flawed. In 2023, the Trust pledged 2.35-million-rand toward legal action, claiming the Act threatens parental rights and may restrict parents’ ability to educate their children in line with their best interests.

# The Development Bank of Southern Africa says the reconstruction of South Africa’s Parliament is progressing well, with practical completion expected by November 2026. The buildings will be ready for use by early 2027, in time for the State of the Nation Address. DBSA executive Chuene Ramphele says the nearly 3.5-billion-rand project includes refurbishing the Old and New National Assembly buildings damaged in the 2022 fire:

# The National Treasury has invited proposals for innovative and cost-efficient ways to supplement South Africa’s foreign-currency borrowing programme for the current fiscal year. The move aims to diversify funding sources beyond traditional Eurobonds and reduce borrowing costs. Treasury is seeking input from primary dealers, banks, multilateral institutions, and investors. The government plans to raise nearly 99-billion-rand in foreign loans by March 2026. Proposal submissions close on 6 August, with evaluations ending on 29 August.

# The Forum for South Africa says it will not rest until justice is served for the families of children who died after consuming contaminated snacks from illegal spaza shops. The organisation accuses the Department of Small Business Development of responding only at the last minute to its demands, after legal action was threatened. The forum’s Tebogo Mashilompane says the department is shifting blame to municipalities instead of taking responsibility:

# And sports news:

# Cycling: Thymen Arensman of the Netherlands won a shortened 19th stage of the Tour de France, from Albertville to La Plagne, yesterday after attacking alone on the final climb. Race leader, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, untroubled by any meaningful attacks, maintained his overall lead over Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark. Pogacar is set to win his fourth Tour de France after defending his lead on the final mountain stage. The race concludes in Paris, on the Champs-Élysées, tomorrow.

# And cricket: Jorich van Schalkwyk became the first batter in Youth one-day international, YODI, history to score a double century as South Africa’s Under-19 Men began their tri-series with a thumping 278-run win over hosts Zimbabwe in Harare yesterday. The 18-year-old scored an incredible 215 off 153 balls – 19 fours, 6 sixes – to help his side amass 385. This fine performance is a major confidence boost for South Africa at the start of the series at Sunrise Sports Club, which also involves Bangladesh.

Stay tuned for more news………….