News 07:00

BULLETIN 26 November 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Mashatile says the government is working to improve municipal accountability
# Minister Willie Aucamp says South Africa is ready to implement the COP30 decisions
# And cricket: South Africa is in a tricky group for the 2026 T20 World Cup

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says through the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign, the government is investing in improving service delivery as well as municipal accountability. He answered questions in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday. Municipal debt to Eskom is over 96-billion-rand, while municipal debt to water boards is around 21.1-billion-rand. Mashatile says the government has introduced the Distribution Agency Agreement, a mechanism that allows struggling municipalities to partner with Eskom for long-term sustainability:

# Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister, Willie Aucamp, says South Africa is ready to implement the decisions made at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in Belem, Brazil. The talks agreed on new climate plans, more climate funding, and support for a fair transition to cleaner energy. Aucamp added South Africa will use its own climate tools to meet these goals and work with other countries to fight climate change:

# Build One South Africa says in the past five years over 32-thousand teachers have left the profession. Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed more than 30-thousand teachers resigned and over one-thousand-200 were dismissed, citing retirements, career changes, migration, and heavy workloads. BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons says classrooms are overcrowded, with more than half of primary school learners in classes of over 40 pupils. Solomons calls for the immediate employment of qualified teachers and strategies to retain staff, improve working conditions, and reduce burnout.

# The DA is calling on mayor Nasiphi Moya to urgently reconsider the City of Tshwane’s refusal to review a two-billion-rand backdated salary increase awarded to staff. DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink argues the City cannot afford the payment, warning of a looming cashflow crisis affecting four-million residents. With the 14 December deadline approaching, Brink says litigation is necessary. He emphasised that the City has an obligation to residents who pay rates, tariffs and charges:

# The White House says, despite tremendous progress towards a peace deal, further talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States are required. Leaders in Kyiv and Europe had criticised the initial draft of a 28-point US peace plan, which emerged last week, calling it too favourable to Russia. The White House says Ukraine’s key concerns, including security guarantees, were thoroughly addressed after revision and clarifications over the weekend. It adds that there are a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out.

# Cricket: South Africa has been drawn in Group D alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The Proteas will begin their tournament against Canada in Ahmedabad on February 9th. Defending champions India are in Group A with 2009 winners Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. Group B consists of Australia, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Oman. Two-time champions England are in Group C together with Bangladesh, debutants Italy, Nepal, West Indies.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-378-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-140-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….