News 18:00

BULLETIN 5 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Activist says the US action in Venezuela signalled a push for a regime change
# The Forum for South Africa welcomes the completion of NSFAS 2026 funding applications
# And, the Learnergy founder urges academic planning for 2026

# Prominent Kenyan lawyer and activist professor Patrick Lumumba says the US invasion of Venezuela sent a clear message that Washington wanted president Nicolás Maduro removed from power. Speaking on a popular Kenian digital media platform, The Alpha House podcast, Lumumba says Maduro has long warned of attempts at regime change, including diplomatic pressure and subtle international tactics. He notes Venezuela’s decision to cut ties with Norway as evidence the country is alert to external efforts that could have triggered a coup:

# The Forum for South Africa has welcomed the conclusion of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s 2026 funding applications process ahead of the start of the academic year. A total of 893-thousand-847 applications were received from first-time entering students, of which 609-thousand-403 qualified for financial aid. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says it is concerned that 218-thousand-and-43 applications remain incomplete due to missing documents:

# Learnergy founder and education entrepreneur Ntsako Mhlanga urges learners and parents to prioritise structured academic goal-setting for the 2026 school year. Mhlanga says unclear goals, poor routines, and limited accountability, not ability, undermine performance. She encourages subject-specific targets, consistent study routines, regular check-ins, and early academic support, highlighting that deliberate planning builds learner confidence:

# One person is in custody and an investigation is underway following an incident at the Ohio residence of US vice president JD Vance. A federal law enforcement source says the family wasn’t home at the time. Authorities do not believe the person entered the residence. Photos from local news outlets showed damage to the windows, but it’s unclear at this stage what exactly occurred. CNN reports authorities are investigating whether someone was targeting Vance or his family.

# Soccer: Tanzanian head coach Miguel Gamondi has praised Taifa Stars for their discipline, attitude and bravery following their narrow 1-0 defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 to Morocco in Rabat. The hosts proceeded to the quarter-finals. Gamondi says his side matched Morocco tactically before a hostile crowd. He emphasised the hard work continues as Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda host the 36th AFCON next year:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-16-cents to the dollar and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-731-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-418-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….