News 06:00

BULLETIN 26 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa outlines South Africa’s G20 priorities at the UN
# The Budget Justice Coalition says budget cuts will endanger basic education
# And Prince William is heading to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize ceremony

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will focus on climate financing, United Nations reform, and fair vaccine distribution as it prepares to assume the presidency of the G20 summit next year. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, he highlighted the urgency of addressing Africa’s under-development and tackling global inequality. Ramaphosa states the summit will also align with the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, seeking to mobilise support for developing economies:

# AfriForum has questioned the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act as the Education Department faces severe budget cuts. Gwarube said between 79-billion-rand and 118-billion-rand is needed by 2028. AfriForum’s Alana Bailey raised concerns about school infrastructure and staffing. She stated that the Bela’s provisions, including compulsory Grade R, may worsen the strain on schools:

Meanwhile, the Budget Justice Coalition has expressed concern regarding impending budget cuts to basic education. Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube has revealed that nine provincial education departments will need an extra projected minimum of 79-billion-rand and a maximum of 118-billion-rand by 2027 to fund programmes, including paying teachers’ salaries. The coalition urges the government to explore innovative fiscal approaches that safeguard the right to basic education for underserved communities.

# Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, has highlighted the revenue, expenditure, and fiscal challenges faced by the province. Briefing the media on the province’s finances and 2024/25 audit outcomes, Maile emphasised the need for interventions to improve governance and financial management. He also stressed the need for transparency and fiscal responsibility in Gauteng’s economic landscape:

# Rugby: Coach Rassie Erasmus has released three players from the Springbok camp before Saturday’s final Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina in Mbombela. Ben-Jason Dixon returned to the Stormers and Canan Moodie and Johan Grobbelaar to the Bulls before the weekend’s start of the United Rugby Championship. Erasmus says he has confidence in his squad for the Test which will decide this year’s title, and it’s important that the national players assist the domestic franchises.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-26-cents and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-76-dollars-37-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-659-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Prince William will be coming to South Africa for the fourth edition of the Earthshot Prize ceremony in November in Cape Town. He launched this initiative in 2020, aimed at searching for the most innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges. Fifteen Earthshot Prize finalists have been announced, they include Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems, Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, and Green Africa Youth Organisation. Prince William says the finalists have some of the most exciting, innovative, and impactful solutions ever seen.

Stay tuned for more news………….