News 12:00

BULLETIN 4 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COPE says global peace is threatened by the military aggression against Iran
# Cricket: Aiden Markram says they are wary of New Zealand ahead of their T20 World Cup semifinal clash
# And Saftu pays tribute to Mosiuoa Lekota

# COPE has strongly condemned the US and Israel’s recent strikes on Iran. The party says the attacks undermine fragile diplomatic efforts over Iran’s alleged nuclear programme and risk escalating tensions across the Middle East, putting civilian lives and critical infrastructure in danger. COPE’s Teboho Loate calls for an immediate stop to hostilities, renewed dialogue, and respect for the sovereignty of all nations to prevent further instability.

The Inkatha Freedom Party has also expressed concern over the strikes. Over 700 people were killed in Tehran since Saturday. The IFP says beyond the humanitarian implications, the economic ramifications for South Africa cannot be ignored. The party remains concerned by trade and oil disruptions due to the blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, which is a crucial passage for global oil and liquefied natural gas exports. 

# The Gauteng Department of Education says it has completed the placement of the remaining Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners, who applied through the 2026 Online Admissions system. The total number of learners that were placed for this academic year through the online system is 392-thousand-224. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says 8.5-percent of these applications were made during the late application period:

# Cricket: Proteas captain Aiden Markram expects a tough clash against New Zealand in today’s T20 World Cup semifinal in Kolkata. South Africa has won all seven matches in the lead-up to the knockouts. In the group stage, the Proteas coasted to a convincing seven-wicket victory over the Black Caps. Markram is confident they can adapt to the conditions at Eden Gardens, where they have never played a T20 match before:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-48-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-327-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-153-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Union federation Saftu has paid tribute to COPE founding leader, Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota, saying he belonged to a generation that carried the enormous burden of confronting apartheid at great personal cost. The 77-year-old died in a Johannesburg hospital this morning. Saftu’s general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, says Lekota remained a committed democrat throughout his life and believed deeply in constitutional governance and open political contestation:

Stay tuned for more news………….