News 13:00

BULLETIN 14 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola confirms diplomatic engagement with embassies over G20 concerns
# KZN Cogta is prioritising the rescue efforts after the Verulam Temple collapse
# The National Senior Certificate marking has been successfully concluded nationwide

# International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola has confirmed South Africa is engaging various embassies over concerns about US actions within the G20. Speaking to SABC News, Lamola reiterated that South Africa, as a founding G20 member and part of the Troika, is not calling for a boycott from embassies. He urged countries to engage Washington DC and defend multilateralism and G20 norms:

# KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi says all efforts are focused on rescuing survivors following the Verulam temple collapse. Four bodies were recovered yesterday and another one today with more search and recovery continuing. Buthelezi confirmed rescue operations led by eThekwini and SAPS Search and Rescue, KZN and National Disaster Management, with support from Western Cape teams. Buthelezi praised the joint efforts of government and private stakeholders:

# The Department of Basic Education says the marking of the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations was successfully completed yesterday at all 183 marking centres countrywide. The Department praised markers for adherence to quality standards under tight timelines. The department’s spokesperson Terence Khala recognised markers in KwaZulu-Natal who continued working despite storm damage, and to teams who identified and reported an examination breach, reinforcing system integrity:

# The Soil of Africa civic movement has warned against reducing the fight against gender-based violence to slogans. This comes as the 16 Days of Activism campaign closed. The group spokesperson, King Bongani Ramontja, referred to the brutal murder of two young girls in Mamelodi as evidence of a national crisis. He condemned silence and systemic failures, called for decisive action, and said real leadership saves lives:

# A nonprofit organisation tasked by the US Congress with helping preserve historic sites has sued the White House to stop construction on President Donald Trump’s new ballroom. The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that the White House failed to seek necessary reviews before demolishing the historic East Wing.  The lawsuit represents the first major legal challenge to the ballroom project. The East Wing was demolished in October to make way for Trump’s multi-million-dollar ballroom, which he says is being paid for by private donors.

# And soccer: Orlando Pirates finished the year on a high after claiming the Carling Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Carling All Stars at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Second-half substitutes Sifiso Luthuli and Boitumelo Radiopane delivered the goods for Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side, who struggled to make an impact in the opening 45 minutes and rarely threatened the opposition goal. Luthuli scored in the 68th minute, with Radiopane sealing the victory in the 80th minute. The Carling Cup pits the winners of the Carling Knockout Cup against an All-Stars team selected by fans via voting.   

Stay tuned for more news………….