News 07:00

BULLETIN 27 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Gwarube launches an independent probe into the textbook controversy
# Iran warns that the latest US strikes won’t go unanswered
# And rugby: Naas Botha gets a coaching job in the US

# Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, says the department will be launching a demonstrably independent external forensic investigation into the foundation phase national catalogue process. This follows a News24 report that Lighthouse Publishers, registered just three days after the terms of reference were issued for the foundation phase national catalogue, received the bulk of approvals to publish new learning and teaching support materials for grades 1 to 3. Gwarube says the investigation is to ensure that quality textbooks reach learners on time through a lawful, fair, and transparent process.

# The GOOD Party says immigrants and refugees are not responsible for South Africa’s social and economic problems, including poverty and unemployment. The party warns that blaming foreign nationals is dangerous and could fuel xenophobic violence, similar to past attacks in 2008. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron says the real causes lie in government policy failures, crime, corruption and slow economic growth:

# The National Council of Provinces has passed the Division of Revenue Bill. This piece of legislation determines how nationally collected revenue is shared among national, provincial, and local governments for the 2026/2027 financial year. The bill was passed by the National Assembly last month and referred to the NCOP Select Committee on Appropriations for consideration. The committee says provincial allocations amount to 670.3-billion-rand, while local government allocations total 110.1-billion-rand. The bill will now be sent to president Cyril Ramaphosa for assent.

# Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, says there is a detailed turnaround plan to address long-standing challenges at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The facility caught fire in April 2021, destroying vital parts of the main building structure and the multi-level parking lot. An investigation by the Public Protector found systemic failures, maladministration, and budget underspending that caused and prolonged the repairs. Motsoaledi says a committee has been set up to ensure that repairs to the fire-damaged section are expedited:

# Iran has threatened to retaliate after what it calls a blatant violation of the ceasefire by the US. The US military carried out “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran on Monday, targeting boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites in the Hormozgan region, which has a coast along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it will leave no act of aggression unanswered and will not hesitate in the slightest to defend the country’s sovereignty.

# Rugby: The Springbok flyhalf from yesteryear, Naas Botha, was appointed director of rugby of US Division One club Kansas City Blues. The 67-year-old played 179 matches for the then Northern Transvaal, scoring two-thousand-511 points. He also contributed 312 points for the Boks in 28 Tests between 1980 and 1992. Botha became a television pundit after his playing days. He and his family relocated to America in March. Kansas City says he will help with player development and strengthening pathways for athletes to compete at the national level.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-35-cents and the euro at 19-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-749-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-512-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….