News 16:00

BULLETIN 13 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Unregistered grade 12 candidates and unaccredited colleges face penalties
# The president of Giwusa labels the Stilfontein tragedy a massacre
# And Tennis: Some scary moments but Carlos Alcaraz storms into the second round at the Australian Open

# Quality assurance body, Umalusi has taken action against unregistered candidates and unaccredited private colleges involved in the 2024 exams. A school that allowed unregistered learners to write grade 12 exams had its registration withdrawn, while 128 private colleges administering N2-N3 exams without accreditation are under investigation. Umalusi CEO Mafu Rakometsi told the media the Department of Higher Education and Training has been directed to address these violations and provide a full report:

# General Industries Workers Union of South Africa president, Mametlwe Sebei, has called the Stilfontein illegal mining crisis a massacre. Speaking at a Mining Affected Communities briefing, Sebei described Shaft 11 as a mass grave, as many miners’ bodies may never be recovered. He criticised the government and mining sector for failing to legalise operations, which could have prevented the tragedy:

# Heavy rains have damaged roads and closed some camps in Kruger National Park, mainly south of the Olifants River. The roads between Skukuza and Lower Sabie are currently being repaired, while all gates remain operational. SanParks advised visitors to avoid crossing low-level bridges or removing debris themselves and contact emergency personnel if needed. Updated road conditions will be made available online or at rest camp receptions. Tourists are also urged confirm accessibility before booking.

# London’s Heathrow announced it welcomed a record-high number of passengers last year to Europe’s busiest airport, with air travel having recovered from the turbulent Covid years. A total 83.9-million people travelled through the airport in 2024, up three-million compared with the previous high in 2019 or one year before the pandemic struck. Heathrow experienced its busiest December on record last month, with more than seven-million passengers.

# Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz launched his bid for a first Australian Open crown by dismantling Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets. Playing his first match of the season, the Spaniard suffered a couple of scary moments in Melbourne before easing through 6-1, 7-5 and 6-1. Alcaraz is bidding to complete a career Grand Slam of all four majors aged just 21. He now faces Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-819-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-671-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….