News 08:00

BULLETIN 30 November 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The deputy president calls for unity in the BELA Act negotiation process
# Jihadists attack Syria’s second biggest city Aleppo in a fight with government troops
# And soccer: Arteta feels Arsenal is building momentum again after a poor run

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has called on all political parties in the government of national unity to stick to the approved process for discussing the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. He dismissed claims of an agreement involving trade union Solidarity and AfriForum, stating it was not part of the official clearing house mechanism. Mashatile’s acting spokesperson Keith Khoza, says the GNU will soon convene to review recommendations and finalize the process collectively:

In another development Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane has rejected Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube’s bilateral agreement on the BELA Act, calling it exclusionary and obstructive to transformation. Chiloane criticised provisions allowing school governing bodies to influence language policies and learner admissions, arguing it impedes inclusivity. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona says the MEC urges broader consultation, to ensure fair and transformative education policies:

# The Platform of Vocational Excellence in Water Management, Africa’s first of its kind, was launched by the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and Stellenbosch University. The initiative addresses water sector skills gaps, focusing on sustainable management and innovation. It aims to bridge generational knowledge gaps and foster responsible water use. Partners stress its transformative role in aligning with South Africa’s National Skills Development Plan 2030.

# Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies shelled Syria’s second-biggest city of Aleppo in a major offensive against government troops that has sparked some of the deadliest fighting in the country in years. The violence has killed 255 people, most of them combatants on both sides, while 24 civilian casualties resulted from air strikes by Russia, backing the Syrian government. The offensive began at a sensitive time for Syria and the region, with a fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel taking effect in neighbouring Lebanon on Wednesday.

# And soccer: Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will need to be almost perfect if they are to catch runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool, but he feels momentum is building again after a poor run. The Gunners go into today’s match against West Ham on a high after hammering Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League. Victory at the London Stadium today would likely lift Arsenal to second in the table ahead of tomorrow’s matches, which includes a pivotal clash between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Stay tuned for more news………….