News 15:00

BULLETIN 13 September 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the new education law aims to resolve longstanding challenges
# The DA stands firm on the South African Reserve Bank’s independence
# And rugby: Rugby Australia denies claims that the Wallabies won’t be good opposition for the Lions

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, signed into law today, aims to resolve longstanding challenges in the education system. Key features include making grade R compulsory, improving school inclusivity, reinforcing the ban on corporal punishment,  and enforcing stricter home-schooling regulations. Ramaphosa says the new education law is intended to improve access, equity, and quality in education while aligning with the Bill of Rights: 

Meanwhile, ActionSA has voiced their concern over the signing of the act. The party criticises BELA for not addressing issues in the education system. ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni says the party is reviewing its options and has pledged to maintain vigilance through the Basic Education Portfolio Committee to protect the rights of parents, teachers, and learners:

# The DA has rallied its support for the South African Reserve Bank’s independence, opposing the EFF’s Reserve Bank Amendment Bill. DA deputy finance spokesperson, Andrew Bateman warns the bill would give the Finance minister control over key appointments, risking economic instability. He argues that political interference could harm investor confidence, devalue the currency, and hinder growth, calling the bill unconstitutional and unnecessary:

# Russian president Vladimir Putin has warned that should the West allow Ukraine to use longer-range weapons to strike targets inside his country, it would put the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation at war with Russia. This comes while US and UK ministers consider Kyiv’s demand for the easing of rules on the use of Western weapons. The Moscow Times reports Putin reacted after US secretary of State, Antony Blinken promised Washington would review Kyiv’s long-standing request to use Western-supplied weapons inside Russia.

# Rugby: Australia’s governing body denied claims the Wallabies won’t be good competition for the British and Irish Lions during next year’s tour. This follows criticism of Australia’s humiliating 27-67 loss to the Pumas in last weekend’s Rugby Championship clash in Argentina. Former England star Ben Youngs suggested the Lions should rather tour South Africa again. Rugby Australia’s CEO, Phil Waugh, says the Wallabies’ heaviest defeat in their 125-year history hid the improvements being reached under new head coach Joe Schmidt.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-78-cents and the euro at 19-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-112-dollars-38-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-567-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….