News 06:00

BULLETIN 14 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The matric pass rate is 87.3-percent with the Free State at the top
# A law firm tests a controversial empowerment code in court
# And Russia and Iran are signing a strategic partnership treaty

# South Africa’s national pass rate for the 2024 National Senior Certificate has increased from 82.9-percent in 2023 to 87.3-percent. This is the highest matric pass rate in the country’s history. Free State is the best-performing province at 91.0-percent, increasing its pass rate from 89.0-percent in 2023. KwaZulu-Natal is second with a pass rate of 89.5-percent and Gauteng is third with 85.4-percent. Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, says nearly half of the learners who wrote the exams received a bachelor pass:

Meanwhile, deputy minister of Basic Education, Reginah Mhaule, has dispelled what she calls a myth regarding the 30-percent pass mark in the country. The pass requirements for admission to Bachelor studies are that a candidate must achieve 40-percent in the home language, 50-percent in four other subjects excluding Life Orientation, 30-percent in the language of learning and teaching, and 30-percent in one other subject. Mhaule says a candidate must pass six out of seven subjects:

# Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa has filed a lawsuit against the government, challenging the new broad-based black economic empowerment code for the legal sector. The law firm argues the code, which imposes strict targets for black ownership and management in law firms, is unlawful and unconstitutional. They claim the code will severely affect their rating and ability to secure state contracts. The Department of Trade and Industry is reviewing the matter and will respond by 25 January.

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson commends the 15-billion-rand Westown development near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, as a model for driving economic recovery. The mixed-use project, a public-private partnership, has already created one-thousand construction jobs and is expected to generate eight-thousand-500 permanent jobs upon completion. Macpherson called for similar initiatives nationwide to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and improve infrastructure:

# Russia and Iran will sign a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty on Friday during a visit to Russia by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Raising concerns in the West, Moscow, and Tehran have boosted their military and political cooperation amid Russia’s full-scale military offensive on Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. The Kremlin says the two leaders will discuss prospects for the further expansion of bilateral cooperation, including in trade and investment, transport and logistics, and the humanitarian sphere, as well as topical issues on the regional and international agenda.

# Rugby: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has named a 28-man travelling squad for their two upcoming matches abroad. The squad includes 16 forwards and 12 backs, with the return of Ntuthuko Mchunu, James Venter, Grant Williams, Lukhanyo Am, and Eduan Keyter. Plumtree’s charges first match abroad is their Champions Cup pool match clash with Bordeaux Bègles in France on Sunday. Their second is the United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff on the 25th of January.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-96-cents and the euro at 19-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-318-dollar-60-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-665-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….