News 11:00

BULLETIN 27 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SAFTU says the year ahead demands renewed commitment to defending workers’ rights
# Hendrick Makaneta is concerned over the five-thousand learners still unplaced in Gauteng
# And Israel becomes the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state

#  The South African Federation of Trade Unions says the year ahead demands renewed commitment to defending workers’ rights and advancing the fight against exploitation, inequality, corruption, and unemployment. The federation says this year it has stood firm as a militant, independent, and uncompromising voice of the working class. SAFTU’s Asive Dyani says they will continue to build a powerful, socialist-oriented workers’ movement capable of leading real social and economic transformation:

# COSATU is calling for urgent interventions by the North West and Gauteng provincial government as well as the national government, to ensure that the workers of North West Transport Investments are paid their long-overdue salaries. COSATU’s spokesperson, Matthew Park,s says the workers of NTI, a bus company owned by the North West and subsidised by the Gauteng Provincial governments, are reportedly owed up to 14 months’ salaries:

# Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, says it remain deeply concerned that five-thousand-464 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners are still unplaced in Gauteng just weeks before the 2026 school year begins. He says these numbers represent children whose constitutional right to basic education is not yet realised. Makaneta says while the provincial Education Department speaks of progress, the recurring placement crisis exposes ongoing failures in planning and capacity management, particularly in high-pressure communities:

# The City of Cape Town is encouraging all residents to be cautious and vigilant when using fire in residential or public environments this festive season. A residential fire occurred in Imizamo Yethu late on Christmas night at approximately midnight. Mayoral committee member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, says no fatalities have been reported, but the fire has affected approximately fifty structures and more than one hundred residents of the Petersen Section of the settlement:

# Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday — a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s longstanding opposition to secession. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology, and the economy. In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership, and invited him to visit Israel.

# And soccer: Patrick Dorgu’s first Manchester United goal earned the Red Devils a 1-0 win over Newcastle to propel Ruben Amorim’s men up to fifth place in the Premier League. The Danish international player connected sweetly with a looping ball on his left foot for the only goal to compound Newcastle’s miserable away form despite the visitors dominating the second half. A first home win in two months takes Manchester United level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea, while Newcastle remain down in 11th.

Stay tuned for more news………….