News 12:00

BULLETIN 3 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa hosts the inaugural meeting of the G20 Anti-Corruption Group
# TLU SA warns of an avian influenza outbreak in South Africa
# And cricket: A massive injury blow for Australia as Matthew Short is ruled out of the rest of the Champions Trophy

# South Africa is hosting the first meeting of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group in Somerset West in the Western Cape from today. Led by Public Service and Administration minister, Mzamo Buthelezi, the Special Investigating Unit, and the Department of Justice, the three-day meeting aims to enhance transparency and accountability. Key discussions will focus on strengthening public institutions, asset recovery, and whistle-blower protection. The G20 nations seek collaborative solutions to drive integrity and justice worldwide as corruption continues to undermine global trust and economic growth.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government’s efforts to transform the education system are bearing fruit, but a lot more work is still needed. The 2030 Reading Panel report shows that 80-percent of Grade 3 learners cannot read for meaning in any language. In his weekly newsletter, Rampahosa says one of the most damaging effects of Bantu Education was the deliberate neglect of black children in the provision of foundation years learning. He says through the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, young children will be better prepared for formal schooling. 

# Agricultural organisation TLU SA is warning there is currently a significant risk that the highly pathogenic avian influenza could break out in South Africa. The virus, known as H5N1, has killed millions of wild birds and has led to emergency culling of commercial flocks. TLU SA’s Bennie Van Zyl says the last major outbreak of avian influenza in South Africa resulted in an estimated loss of 9.5-billion-rand:

# The Border Management Authority has temporarily suspended operations at five ports of entry due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The affected ports are Stockpoort, Makgobistad, Bray, Groblersbridge, and Pontdrift. BMA’s, Mmemme Mogotsi, says travelers and commercial operators are advised to use Ramatlabama, Kopfontein, Beitbridge, and Skilpadshek ports of entry as alternatives for cross-border movement:

# Cricket: All-rounder Cooper Connolly has been called into Australia’s Champions Trophy squad ahead of the semifinal clash against India tomorrow. The 21-year-old replaces star opener Matthew Short, who has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a quad injury he suffered against Afghanistan. Australia has not lost to India in an ICC knockout match since the 2011 World Cup. The two teams last faced each other in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, which Australia won by six wickets.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-65-cents and the euro at 19-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-967-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-862-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-78-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….