News 15:00

BULLETIN 9 December 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Members of Parliament will undergo diplomacy training next year
# Global leaders commit 32-billion-rand to eradicate polio amid funding cuts
# And soccer: Doubt over Neymar’s fitness for the World Cup

# National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza says Members of Parliament will undergo formal diplomacy training from next year. Speaking on the African Renaissance podcast hosted by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Didiza said Parliament is strengthening ongoing onboarding programmes to help MPs understand rules, multilateral engagement and their roles in regional and international forums. She stressed that MPs represent South Africa in bodies like the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, and must be equipped:

# The ANC is discussing a radical proposal to curb vote-buying on day-two on its National General Council meeting in Boksburg, Gauteng. The plan, backed by the party’s Veterans League, would introduce a one-member, one-vote system, scrapping the current delegate-based elections that allegedly enable manipulation and vote-buying. Reformers argue the change would restore internal democracy and strengthen trust in leadership elections. The proposals are part of broader efforts to renew the party’s integrity and public standing.

# The Western Cape government has set aside 17-million-rand for aerial firefighting to strengthen rapid responses to wildfires this summer. The funding is part of the province’s 2025/26 summer readiness initiative, aimed at protecting communities, property, and critical natural infrastructure. Last year, over eleven-thousand fires were recorded, affecting more than 75-thousand hectares. Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell says forecasts warn of a hot, dry, and windy season:

Moving abroad:

# Global leaders pledged 32-billion-rand to advance polio eradication, accelerating efforts to protect 370-million children from polio each year amid significant funding cuts. The budget of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is expected to take a 30-percent cut next year. The shortfall is largely due to a global pullback from foreign aid, led by America which is withdrawing from the World Health Organisation, with Germany and the UK also making cuts. The initiative’s partners, in response, plan to focus more on surveillance and vaccination in areas with a high risk of polio transmission.

# Soccer: Brazilian ace Neymar’s chances of participation in next year’s World Cup have taken a blow with the news that he has to undergo knee surgery. He was injured playing for his childhood club, Santos, during the weekend. He returned home after a stint in Saudi Arabia. Neymar scored five goals in the last four matches, helping Santos beating Cruzeiro on Saturday to avoid relegation. A series of injuries kept the 33-year-old midfielder out of duty for Brazil for the past two years.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-2-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-231-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-205-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….