News 12:00

BULLETIN 6 December 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA calls for a 50-billion-rand reallocation to address the education funding crisis
# City Power goes after two posh Johannesburg estates collectively owing about 130-million-rand
# And roadrunning: Only one-thousand entries are still available for the Comrades Marathon

# Build One South Africa urges Parliament to redirect 50-billion-rand to fix the education funding crisis, which faces a 32-billion-rand shortfall. They propose cutting VIP protection, reducing the size of the cabinet, redirecting Skills Education Training Authorities’ funds, and reforming the Road Accident Fund to prioritise learners. BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster says overcrowded classrooms and underfunded schools show misplaced government priorities:

Meanwhile, cabinet has congratulated the Class of 2024 for successfully completing their matric exams. It also acknowledged the efforts of teachers, parents, and support staff in guiding the learners throughout the year. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni applauded the resilience of the learners, particularly in difficult circumstances, and encouraged them to pursue further studies to contribute to the development of the nation:

# City Power in Johannesburg says it has successfully carried out service restrictions on multiple defaulting customers at Aspen Hills Nature Estate and Dainfern Golf Estate. The two estates collectively owe about 130-million-rand. The operation forms part of the utility’s broader initiative to address the escalating issue of unpaid electricity bills and non-compliance. City Power CEO, Tshifularo Mashava, says its total debt citywide stands at 9.6-billion-rand, down from 10.2-billion-rand recorded during the same period last year:

# Roadrunning: Entries for next year’s 98th edition of the iconic Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal have been re-opened for a limited period. The previous entry process was closed when the entry cap of 23-thousand entries was reached. The Comrades Marathon Association’s acting race manager, Alain Dalais, says only one-thousand entries are available on a first-come-first-served basis from today until midnight on Monday, or as soon as the entry cap is reached.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-3-cents and the euro at 19-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-516-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-639-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-82-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Deputy president Paul Mashatile will lead the biennial Men’s Parliament and Dissemination of Better Men 4 Tomorrow Campaign in Cape Town tomorrow. The campaign forms part of the contribution towards the country’s efforts in finding and linking 1.1-million men who are not on HIV treatment. Mashatile’s office says with bold targets aligned with HIV prevention and the promotion of health-seeking behaviour, the campaign is also aimed at mobilising men to be champions of change against gender-based violence and femicide.

Stay tuned for more news………….