News 18:00

BULLETIN 12 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DG for Basic Education gives an early warning to the Matrics of 2026 against exam paper leaks
# SANParks urges guests to reschedule their Kruger National Park visits amid severe weather warnings
# And, Donald Trump’s plan to cap credit card costs hits bank shares

# The Department of Basic Education director-general Mathanzima Mweli has urged Matric Class of 2026 to study diligently and avoid the consequences linked to leaked exam papers. Speaking to SABC News during the celebration of Matric Class of 2025 top achievers in Gauteng, Mweli called on learners to stay focused, respect the national pledge, and avoid deviant methods to succeed. He warned that penalties for violations are severe:

# The African Transformation Movement calls for an overhaul of the school uniform system, proposing a ward-based cooperative model to empower local communities to produce and supply uniforms. The movement’s Zama Ntshona says the initiative aims to create jobs, reduce poverty, and ensure affordability for families. The ATM also urges similar reforms in the School Nutrition Program and stricter monitoring of unfair pricing practices:

# South African National Parks has urged visitors to reschedule their trips to the Kruger National Park as severe weather continues to affect parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Heavy rainfall has led to rising river levels, road closures and the shutdown of several gates and camps, including routes linking Lower Sabie, Skukuza and Satara. SANParks spokesperson JP Louw advised visitors already in the park to follow all road closures and safety instructions:

# Shares in banks and credit card firms have fallen after US president Donald Trump called for credit card costs to be capped. He said interest rates on cards should be limited to 10-percent for one year. UK bank Barclays, which has a sizeable US card business, saw its shares fall 3.5-percent, while US firms such as American Express, Visa and Mastercard were also lower. US banking associations say capping rates will make it harder for people to access credit and will be devastating for families and small businesses.

# Tennis: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland is back under the world top ten for the first time since returning from maternity leave in 2024. She looks brilliant before the Australian Open, having beaten number two, Iga Swiatek of Poland, and number seven, Jasmine Paolini of Italy, in the United Cup competition. Twenty-eight-year-old Bencic improved from 421 to number 11 last year after a career-high fourth position in February 2020. She hopes to improve on her best result of fourth round when the Australian Open starts on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-155-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-589-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….