News 13:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 8 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am………

In this bulletin:

# The EFF says the ANC government’s lack of prioritisation of education has pushed the basic education system into a crisis
# The Southern Hemisphere saw and exciting weekend of Rugby Championship encounters
# And, president Cyril Ramaphosa says James Matthews’s voice will ring in South Africans consciousness

# The EFF has noted, with concern, the looming threat to thousands of teacher jobs across South Africa as provincial departments of education face severe budget constraints, increasing learner numbers, and rising salary costs. The EFF’s Leigh-Ann Mathys says the ANC government’s mismanagement of public resources and lack of prioritisation of education has pushed the basic education system into a crisis. She says the party rejected the narrative that budget cuts are inevitable, and condemned the government’s approach of sacrificing essential services like education while protecting the bloated salaries of senior officials and a bloated cabinet with extreme benefits.

Meanwhile, education activist Hendrick Makaneta is calling on government to address the issue of teachers who forcefully transfer learners from a mathematics classroom to a mathematical literacy classroom without consultation with parents. Makaneta says this is a blatant denial of their right to quality education and a stark reminder of the systemic racism that still plagues the society:

# The Gauteng Department of Health is investigating a video posted on social media by a patient who goes by the name Tom London, who made several allegations against Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg. The department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba says while the matter is being investigated, the department has nine months ago, launched a provincial campaign called “I Serve with A Smile”, which is aimed at improving staff attitude and patient experience of care:

Rugby: A week after the Wallabies fought back from 10-0 down to win the opening test 20-19, the Pumas took their revenge in Santa Fe by scoring the most points Australia had ever conceded in a test. The 67-27 victory lifted Argentina to second in the table on ten points, still eight points behind leaders South Africa with two games to go. The Wallabies are bottom. Argentina must now beat the Springboks in their final two games to have a hope of winning the Rugby Championship for the first time. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi meanwhile said they desperately needed to win Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks. Kolisi played the game with a broken nose and scored the Boks’ first try in the second half. The 18-12 scoreline also allowed the Boks to regain the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.

# And, finally: President Cyril Ramaphosa says cultural activist James Matthews’s voice will ring in South Africans consciousness. Matthews passed away on Saturday at the age of 95. The president’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya says Matthews was an Esteemed Member of the National Order of Ikamanga, who received this honour in 2004 for his excellent achievements in literature, contribution to journalism and his inspirational commitment to the struggle for a non-racial South Africa:

Stay tuned for more news………….