News 15:00

BULLETIN 21 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa emphasises education as the engine of development
# The public is invited to shape the 2026 national budget
# And rugby: Scotland’s 40-man squad for the Six Nations is to be led by Sione Tuipulotu

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says education remains the engine of development and key to lift people out of poverty and reduce inequality. Speaking at the basic education sector lekgotla in Boksburg, Gauteng, he says strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and science enable learners to succeed in school and participate meaningfully in the economy. Ramaphosa stresses building a resilient education system must begin in the early grades to lay foundations for lifelong learning:

Meanwhile, minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, says investment in the education and professional development of foundation phase teachers is not optional but imperative. He said the foundation phase is not simply an early stage of schooling, but the bedrock upon which the entire education system stands. Manamela adds the quality of foundational learning in the classrooms is inseparable from the quality of teaching and scholarship within higher education institutions.

# The Gauteng legislature’s portfolio committee on Community Safety strongly condemns the shooting outside Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg which left two people dead and three injured. Spokesperson Bandile Masuku criticises lapses in security and demands accountability from the contracted security company. He calls on law enforcement to apprehend perpetrators, urges public cooperation, and pledges intensified oversight to improve safety at justice institutions:

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has invited South Africans to submit suggestions for the 2026 national budget. The National Treasury says the budget aims to balance economic growth, fiscal stability and support for vulnerable households amid limited resources. Godongwana will deliver his budget speech on 25 February, where he will outline all the financial, economic and social commitments government will prioritise in its planned expenditure. Public input is sought on spending priorities, debt sustainability, state owned enterprises, finances, energy, water, taxes and municipal funding.

# Rugby: Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, has named a 40-man squad for the Six Nations, with Sione Tuipulotu as captain. The squad consists of 23 forwards and 17 backs, with Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry returning. One-capped players Freddy Douglas and Liam McConnell are two of seven selections with single-digit international appearances. Scotland begins their campaign against Italy in Rome on 7 February. Townsend says picking the squad was difficult:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-33-cents and the euro at 19-rand-12-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-197-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-868-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….