News 16:00

BULLETIN 26 February 4pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A multi-party forum challenges the registration requirements and election timetable
# Deputy president Paul Mashatile urges global investment in digital education for teachers 
# And Rugby: The Springboks and Siya Kolisi in line for the top Laureus awards 

# A coalition of opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and the United Democratic Movement, urgently seek a meeting with the Independent Electoral Commission to discuss concerns over the election timetable. They are alarmed by the short timeframe for various election-related processes, such as the submission of candidates lists by 8 March. The coalition argues this compressed schedule limits stakeholder participation and could hinder the transparency and inclusivity of the electoral process. They also urged the IEC to ensure the registration requirements for new political parties comply with relevant legislation.

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile urges global governments to invest in digital technology for educators to enhance teaching. Delivering the keynote address during the International Task Force on Teachers Policy Forum in Sandton, Johannesburg, Mashatile emphasised the importance of empowering teachers for the future workforce, fostering creativity, and providing competitive compensation to recognise their achievements:

# The DA in Gauteng says the 10-million-rand meant for the refurbishment of the Kwa-Dukathole Comprehensive School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni has been looted, forcing hundreds of learners to learn in overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms. The DA’s Sergio Isa Dos Santos says according to media reports, the provincial Department of Education was fully aware of the brazen abuse of funds from this school, yet nothing was done to intervene:

# Former Oudtshoorn deputy mayor Mlandeli Abednico Nyuka has been sentenced to five years direct imprisonment by the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court for sexually assaulting an employee in his office. NPA Western Cape spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, says this is Nyuka’s second conviction and sentence for sexual assault using the same modus operandi:

# Rugby: The World Cup winning Springboks and captain Siya Kolisi have been nominated for top Laureus awards. The Boks won the World Team of the Year awards following their World Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2019. They have been nominated for the same award again. They will be up against among others the Manchester City Men’s soccer team, the European Ryder Cup golf team and the Red Bull Racing Formula-1 team. Kolisi has been nominated for the Comeback of the Year Award. The awards will be hosted in Madrid, Spain, in April.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-28-cents and the euro at 20-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 51-thousand-150-dollars-18-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-33-dollars-3-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….