News 08:00

BULLETIN 28 June 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges traditional leaders to calm tensions ahead of 30 June
# The Parliament questions the reliance on foreign academics at universities
# And a cold front warning is issued for the Western Cape

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africa’s traditional kings and queens to use their moral authority to discourage intolerance and instability ahead of Tuesday’s protest against undocumented foreign nationals. Addressing a meeting with monarchs yesterday, Ramaphosa said they can help ease tensions, promote dialogue and prevent violence, while upholding the spirit of Ubuntu. Ramaphosa stressed that illegal immigration is not the cause of South Africa’s challenges, which include unemployment, poverty, and crime.

# Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has raised concerns over the growing reliance on foreign academics at South Africa’s public universities, particularly at the professor level. The committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, told SABC News that this continues despite years of government investment in developing local academic talent. Letsie says Parliament wants to assess whether these investments are producing the desired results. He called for improved data on university staffing:

# Residents in Cape Town and across the Western Cape are being urged to prepare for a powerful cold front expected to make landfall later today. The South African Weather Service has issued Yellow Level 4 and Level 2 warnings for disruptive rain, damaging winds, and rough seas. Heavy rainfall could cause localised flooding, while strong winds may affect travel. Authorities have placed emergency services on standby and urged residents to clear gutters, secure loose items, and prepare their properties.

# Sports news:

# Motorsport: Mercedes driver George Russell snatched pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with the last lap of the qualifying session. The result came amid late drama as Russell set his lap, beating Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, despite passing yellow flags for a crash by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the penultimate corner. Russell’s team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who was running just ahead of the Briton, also passed the Verstappen incident, and will line up fourth. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were sixth and seventh behind Verstappen, who kept fifth despite his crash.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana face Canada in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 tonight, aiming to extend their historic run. Canada, coached by Jesse Marsch, are known for their high-intensity style and attacking threat. Both teams have created plenty of scoring chances but struggled to convert them consistently. Analysts say the knockout clash could be decided by which side is more clinical in front of the goal, with the winners advancing to the last 16.

# And finally: President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed support for Bafana Bafana ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Canada. Ramaphosa exchanged well-wishes with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, as both leaders agreed to differ on the outcome. Ramaphosa praised the team’s defensive discipline and attacking precision. He urged the squad to continue their strong tournament run as they target a place in the last 16:

Stay tuned for more news………….