News 11:00

BULLETIN 12 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Basic Education Department needs 129-billion-rand to address its infrastructure backlog
# world leaders welcome Ukraine’s acceptance of a proposed ceasefire with Russia
# And tennis: Iga Swiatek’s Indian Wells title defence is still on track

# Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube says an estimated 129-billion-rand is required to address the critical infrastructure backlog currently affecting schools across the country. The backlog includes the eradication of unsafe pit toilets, the replacement of mud schools and unsafe structures, and the provision of essential infrastructure such as desks, proper sanitation, classrooms, and fencing. Gwarube says despite the fiscal constraints, the urgent need for investment in school infrastructure cannot be ignored:

Meanwhile, Parliament’s portfolio committee on Basic Education has reiterated that no learner should be left out of school because of the unavailability of education officials to find space. The committee engaged with officials from the Gauteng and Western Cape Education Department. As of the end of last week, the Western Cape still needed to place 16 Grade R learners and 18 Grade 8 learners for this academic year. In Gauteng, 99 learners still need placement. The committee has called for transparency in application processes to ensure equity and access.

# The DA in Ekurhuleni has tabled a motion of no confidence in the EFF speaker of council, Nthabiseng Tshivenga. She has been accused of benefitting from kickbacks from service providers in exchange for government contracts. The DA’s Lucky Dinake says Tshivenga was also recently found guilty by the Ethics Committee of violating the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, when she and members of her party physically assaulted DA councillors during a meeting:

# World leaders have welcomed Ukraine’s acceptance of a proposal by the US for an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia. French president Emmanuel Macron has hailed the progress made, but insists that Kyiv needs robust security guarantees in any ceasefire. UK prime minister Keir Starmer says this is an important moment for peace in Ukraine. European Union foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, says it is now up to Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace:

# Tennis: Defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland is through to the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Masters in the US. The world number two, who is bidding to become the first woman to win the tournament three times, thrashed Czech Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina battled past American Jessica Pegula. In the men’s draw, Denmark’s Holger Rune defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to end the Greek’s seven-match winning streak.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-33-cents and the euro at 19-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-423-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-911-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….