News 16:00

BULLETIN 22 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Barbara Creecy says freight rail reform aims to boost rail volumes by 2029
# A group of learners from a North West school are suspended for disrupting learning and assaulting a teacher
# And cricket: South Africa clinches the ODI series against Australia with one match to come

# Transport minister Barbara Creecy says government’s freight rail reform programme is aimed at increasing the amount of goods moved by rail to 250-million tonnes by 2029. Creecy told the media the reforms include opening Transnet’s rail network to private operators, improving efficiency, attracting investment of up to 100-billion-rand, and modernising infrastructure to create jobs and grow the economy:

# North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, has strongly condemned the ill-discipline displayed by learners of the the Hoër Tegniese Skool in Klerksdorp on Tuesday. The department’s spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane, says a group of learners dressed in overalls and balaclavas entered the school restrooms and disrupted the teaching and learning environment. He says a teacher promptly responded by going to the restroom area to encourage the learners to return to class:

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has meanwhile reminded parents and guardians to apply for Grade 1 and 8 placements by 29 August, with supporting documents due by 9 September at midday. Chiloane stressed that all documents must be certified, including IDs, birth certificates, proof of address, and school reports. He emphasised that incomplete or falsified applications will not be considered for placement:

Moving abroad:

# A United Nations-backed food security body says famine has been confirmed in Gaza City and its surrounding area for the first time. The Integrated Acute Food Security body, IPC, says over half-a-million people in the strip are facing starvation, destitution and death, with catastrophic conditions projected to expand to surrounding towns next month. Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the report, saying there is no famine in Gaza. Meanwhile, UN chief António Guterres described the crisis as a man-made disaster and called for unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.

# Cricket: South Africa clinched the three-match one-day series against Australia with another impressive victory in the second encounter in Mackay. Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bat first, and South Africa was bowled out for 277 after Matthew Breetzke contributed 88 and Tristan Stubbs 74. Adam Zampa took three wickets. The hosts lost their final wicket with the score on 193 after Lungu Ngidi claimed five scalps, handing the Proteas victory by 83 runs. The final ODI will be played on Sunday, also in Mackay.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-62-cents and the euro at 20-rand-47-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-4-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-328-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-17-cents a barrel. 

Stay tuned for more news………….