News 14:00

BULLETIN 29 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The GOOD Party accuses the DA of undermining government by aligning with AfriForum and Solidarity on the BELA Act
# City Power converts over 35-thousand prepaid meters after the deadline
# And rugby: The Blitzboks are ready for the Dubai Sevens challenge

# The GOOD Party says the DA is undermining the government of national unity by aligning with Afriforum and trade union Solidarity on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. The party claims Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube’s direct appeal to president Cyril Ramaphosa undermines the multi-party problem-solving mechanism led by deputy president Paul Mashatile. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron warns that the BELA Act’s language policy changes could deepen old inequalities and weaken key coalition discussions.

# Metalworkers union Numsa has ended its strike at ArcelorMittal South Africa, which began on 14 November. The deal includes voluntary separation packages, retrenchment mitigation, and training support. Both parties urge government-led engagement to address industry challenges like high tariffs and unfair trade practices, vital for steel sector sustainability. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola warns of broader risks to manufacturing and job security:

# City Power has converted over 35-thousand non-vending prepaid meters days after the Token Identifier deadline. Spokesperson Isaac Mangena says despite challenges with vandalism and bypassed meters, key change tokens were pre-generated to assist affected customers. Mangena says a penalty waiver, extended to Saturday, has encouraged non-vending customers to register for new meters without paying fines. He also says teams are actively addressing queries and supporting registration in affected areas.

# Iran will hold talks with Britain, France and Germany in Geneva today over its nuclear programme, less than two months before Donald Trump returns as US president. The meeting is shrouded in discretion, with the countries’ Foreign ministries giving away few details on what they will discuss. Iranian diplomat Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the political deputy to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will represent Iran in today’s talks, which follow on from a meeting in New York in September.

# Rugby: The Blitzboks are primed for the start of the new sevens season in Dubai this weekend. Head coach Philip Snyman says his squad is well-prepared, emphasising strong defense and exploiting turnovers. South Africa faces Australia, Kenya, and France in Pool A. Snyman says the aim is to build on last season’s bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-6-cents and the euro at 19-rand-8-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-588-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-662-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….