News 18:00

BULLETIN 4 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Buti Manamela says evidence-based planning is critical to building an inclusive post-school education system
# Build One South Africa calls for an end to language inequality in schools
# And, GIWUSA is concerned over the latest fuel price increases

# Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to research-driven skills planning. He participated in the inaugural research colloquium hosted by the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority. Manamela says research must guide policy decisions, strengthen collaboration with industry, and improve responsiveness to labour market demands. He emphasised that evidence-based planning is critical to building a capable and inclusive post-school education system that supports economic growth.

# Build One South Africa urges Parliament to confront language inequality in schools during a debate on International Mother Language Day. Spokesperson Roger Solomons says most learners are taught in English despite few speaking it at home. He says these findings from the 2030 Reading Panel warn of a literacy crisis and call for expanded mother tongue instruction. Solomons also calls for improved materials and stronger multilingual teacher training:

# Union GIWUSA has expressed concern at the latest fuel price hikes. The price of petrol has risen by 20-cents a litre, while diesel is up by 62- to 65-cents a litre, depending on the sulphur content. GIWUSA’s Zaki Mamdoo says this will have an immediate and catastrophic knock-on effect on food prices, as the majority of South Africa’s agricultural produce and manufactured goods are transported by road:

# The Inkatha Freedom Party is mourning the passing of veteran anti-apartheid activist and Congress of the People founder Mosioua Lekota, who died at the age of 77 years in Johannesburg today. The party praised Lekota for his fearless leadership, his role in the liberation struggle, and his service as Free State premier and Defence minister. Lekota’s principled approach, including co-founding COPE and defending democratic values in Parliament, earned him respect across the political spectrum. The IFP’s Nhlanhla Hadebe extended condolences to Lekota’s family and COPE members.

# Tennis: World number one, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, and American Coco Gauff back the idea of rage rooms away from the cameras where players can vent their frustrations. A WTA tournament in Austin, Texas, invented the idea after Gauff’s meltdown following her Australian Open exit in January was shown to the world while she thought it was private. But Sabalenka warns there would be nothing left after she used such a room. Gauff adds breaking plates would probably be more fun than smashing a racquet.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-36-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-595-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-168-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….