News 09:00

BULLETIN 9 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA wants the matric pass mark to be raised to 50-percent
# COPE is determined to rebuild itself and grow nationally
# And the World Economic Forum says the global job market will be disrupted by 2030

# Build One South Africa has launched a petition urging Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube to scrap the minimum matric pass mark from 30-percent and increase it to 50-percent. The petition argues that a 30-percent pass mark for subjects at matric level undermines the intellect of South Africa’s youth, and allows for the entrenchment of mediocrity and low expectations. BOSA’s acting spokesperson, Rogers Solomons, says a meagre 30-percent pass hurts pupils, the education system, and in the long run the economy:

# The Congress of the People says it is determined to rebuild itself as a force for positive change, guided by accountability, integrity, service principles, and nation-building imperatives. The party had a dismal showing in the 2024 general elections, as it failed to get a single seat in the National Assembly after garnering only 30-thousand-968 votes nationally. COPE says the Congress National Committee, the highest decision-making authority between the party’s congresses, will soon adopt and release a watershed 2025 political programme, that builds on the rebuilding efforts started last year.

# The MK Party has suspended two members after they unlawfully registered the wrong candidate for the by-elections in Msunduzi Ward 2, Mgungundlovu Region in KwaZulu-Natal. The candidate, who was unlawfully registered has also been suspended for accepting the nomination, despite having lost the internal elections. The MK Party’s, Sipho Tyira, says the national disciplinary committee will now proceed with the disciplinary inquiry against the implicated members:

# The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts 22-percent of jobs globally will face disruption by 2030. According to the report, 170 million new roles will be created and 92 million displaced, yielding a net gain of 78 million jobs. According to the report, key disruptors include artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, and economic pressures, driving demand for both technology and human-centric skills. The report also indicates that re-skilling is critical, as 60-percent of workers require upskilling. The report urges urgent collaboration between governments, businesses, and educators to future-proof the workforce.

# Soccer: Eighteen-year-old Lucas Bergvall scored in the 86th minute as Tottenham Hotspur edged Liverpool one-nil in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal. The goal has been labelled as controversial after Liverpool had appealed for a foul and potential second yellow when Bergvall slid in on Kostas Tsimikas a couple of minutes before he struck the winner. Referee Stuart Attwell waved play on and opted not to later punish the Spurs teenager. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says Attwell made a mistake:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-92-cents and the euro at 19-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-781-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-658-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….