News 15:00

BULLETIN 29 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister McKenzie hosts the G20 Culture ministers in Ballito ahead of the leaders’ summit
# The Dutch vote in a test for the strength of the far-right in Europe
# And cricket: Anrich Nortjé is set to make a comeback in the CSA T20 Challenge 

# Sports, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie is hosting G20 Culture ministers in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, for the fourth G20 Culture Working Group. The meeting, one of the final events before next month’s G20 leaders’ summit, focuses on promoting culture as a driver of sustainable development. McKenzie told SABC News that discussions will strengthen global cooperation in cultural preservation, creative economy growth, and innovation across G20 member nations:

# The DA says Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane’s unlawful announcement of drastic funding cuts for Quintile 5 schools for 2026, after the 30 September deadline, is creating financial uncertainty for parents and schools. Spokesperson Sergio Dos Santos says the DA condemns the 879-rand to 301-rand per learner reduction, citing potential fee hikes and budget disruption. He says the DA is considering legal action to reverse the decision and ensure accountability, transparency, and protection of learners’ rights:

# The EFF is concerned about the decision by Parliament to adopt the portfolio committee on Home Affairs’ report on the filling of vacancies in the Electoral Commission. The party says this decision disregards the findings and recommendations of the panel chaired by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, which raised serious concerns about the competence, temperament, and suitability of Mosotho Moepya and Judge Dhaya Pillay to serve in the IEC. The EFF says it rejects the adoption of this report and the appointment of compromised individuals to the commission.

Moving abroad:

# The Dutch are voting today in a snap election seen as a litmus test for the strength of the far-right, which has made powerful gains across Europe. Polls suggest anti-immigration and anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders is narrowly on course to repeat his election success from two years ago with his far-right Freedom Party. But with half the electorate still undecided, the result is too close to call, and a pack of three other parties has closed the gap in recent days.

# Cricket: Protea fast bowler Anrich Nortjé is set to return to action this weekend. The 32-year-old has signed for the Durban-based team, the Dolphins, for the upcoming CSA T20 Challenge. He has not played since the Indian Premier League in May due to injury, with his last match for the Proteas being the T20 World Cup final in the West Indies in June last year. Nortjé says it’s going to be great to get back out on the park, adding that he remains motivated.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-10-cents and the euro at 19-rand-91-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-127-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-25-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….