News 07:00

BULLETIN 15 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Embattled Independent Development Trust CEO resigns
# BOSA proposes a 10-point education rescue plan
# And, the EU president supports Greenland

# Embattled Independent Development Trust CEO, Tebogo Malaka, has resigned. She was placed on precautionary suspension in August last year after a forensic report implicated her in the irregular 836-million-rand oxygen tender. It is alleged that she facilitated the tender to be awarded to an unqualified company. Malaka was also caught on camera attempting to bribe Daily Maverick investigative journalist Peter-Louis Myburg in a bid to stop reporting on the matter. The IDT says her resignation is effective from the 31st of January, and she won’t be receiving any exit compensation.

# Build One South Africa has requested a meeting with the National Education and Training Council to share its plan to improve schools. The party’s ten-point plan includes raising the pass mark to 50-percent, creating an independent education watchdog, improving teacher pay, adding skills-based subjects, and giving more support to struggling learners. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane says urgent reform is needed to improve learner outcomes and strengthen the education system:

# Government says learner safety remains a top priority as flooding continues to disrupt schooling in parts of Limpopo. The Department of Basic Education is working closely with the provincial Education Department to assess damage to schools and ensure learners and teachers are not put at risk. Deputy government spokesperson, William Baloyi, says where schools have been affected, temporary measures will be considered to support continued learning once it’s safe to do so:

# European Union Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, says only Denmark and Greenland can decide on Greenland’s future. This, as US President Donald Trump has renewed his threats to seize the self-governing Danish territory. He has also not ruled out using military force to take the island. Von der Leyen says they respect the wishes of the Greenlanders and their interests, and they can count on the EU:

# Cricket: Veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes he will be fit for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after missing the Ashes Series through injuries. The 36-year-old says his rehabilitation is going according to plan, after his absence from the Tests against England gave him extra time to shake off his injuries. The World Cup starts on the seventh of next month, and Australia’s first match is against Ireland in Colombo on the 11th.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-699-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-603-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African comedian and former Daily Show host, Trevor Noah, is set to host the Grammy Awards for the sixth and final time. He has been the main presenter of the ceremony every year since 2021. Noah is also nominated this year for his audio narration of his children’s book, Into the Uncut Grass. Among this year’s top nominees are Kendrick Lamar, who leads with nine nods, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and Sabrina Carpenter. The awards will be held in Los Angeles on 1 February.

Stay tuned for more news………….