News 11:00

BULLETIN 5 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The new minister of Basic Education wants to review the school curriculum
# The National Assembly establishes 30 portfolio committees
# And, Labour records a landslide victory in the UK’s general election

# Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube plans to set up a consultative forum that includes trade unions and governing bodies to review the school curriculum. She is one of the DA-affiliated ministers appointed following the formation of the government of national unity. The sector faces a myriad of challenges, including dilapidated schools, a shortage of basic supplies, overcrowded classrooms, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Gwarube told Business Day the consultative body will have terms of reference and time frames, and produce a report with recommendations.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly’s Rules Committee has established 30 portfolio committees and five other committees, including standing committees. This represents an increase of three from the 27 portfolio committees of the sixth Parliament. National Assembly secretary, Masibulele Xaso, says these committees allow Parliament to zoom in to scrutinise and oversee the work of the executive effectively:

# South African Airways plans a 64-percent increase in destinations from its Johannesburg hub by April next year. Adding nine routes to its current 14, interim CEO John Lamola says SAA aims to boost its aircraft count by 50-percent to 21 by March. He says despite a collapsed investor deal, SAA is financially stable and seeks sovereign guarantees for future growth. Lamola says the new routes are planned to Europe and the US by 2028.

# The Labour Party has won the UK general election, securing the 326 seats required for a majority in the House of Commons. Party leader Keir Starmer will enter Downing Street as Labour’s first prime minister in 14 years. He is set to travel to Buckingham Palace later today, where he will be asked by King Charles to form a government. Outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak has conceded defeat for the Conservative Party. Starmer says change begins now:

# Rugby: Irish head coach Andy Farrell has selected uncapped Jamie Osborne at fullback for tomorrow’s big clash against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. The Test is the first of two between top-ranked South Africa and second-placed Ireland. Craig Casey will start at scrumhalf ahead of Munster teammate Conor Murray after Jamison Gibson-Park was ruled out of the tour by a hamstring injury. Farrell is excited about Osborne’s inclusion:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-17-cents and the euro at 19-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 54-thousand-261-dollars-69-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-363-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….