News 13:00

BULLETIN 13 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Freedom Front Plus launches its 2026 election manifesto
# Eight people, including two minors, were killed on the N17 in Mpumalanga
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks’ victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore was close

# The Freedom Front Plus has launched its local government election manifesto under the theme, It is Our Time in Pretoria East. The party says South Africa had one-thousand-262 local municipalities in 1994, compared to 213 today, while rapidly growing urban populations have placed increasing pressure on municipalities. The FF Plus, Corne Mulder says many municipalities are now struggling to provide adequate services across increasingly large service areas. He says the manifesto proposes a recovery plan to reverse what it describes as the decline of local government:

# Eight people, including two minors, have been killed in a head-on crash on the N17 toll road in Mpumalanga. A Toyota and Volkswagen sedan collided near the Ermelo Toll Plaza, between Ermelo and Davel, this morning. The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, says the cause of the crash is not yet known, but reckless or negligent driving cannot be ruled out:

# The Gauteng Department of Health says it is making significant progress in filling funded vacant posts across its institutions to strengthen the public healthcare system and support healthcare professionals. As of 9 September, one-thousand-259 interviews had been completed, while one-thousand-8 posts were at the shortlisting stage and one-thousand-393 posts had been advertised. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says the positions are at different stages of the recruitment process, including advertising, shortlisting and interviews:

# Science, Technology and Innovation minister, Blade Nzimande, says South Africa and China will strengthen cooperation in key areas of science and technology. These include artificial intelligence, joint research centres, space science and astronomy, quantum computing, cybersecurity, public engagement and youth development. Addressing the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, Nzimande added the two countries will also expand their joint Young Scientists Exchange Programme. Nzimande says cooperation with China remains a critical component of South Africa’s bilateral relationship with the country.

# Rugby: Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks’ 43-28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore was closer than the scoreline suggested. The Springbok coach says he felt the outcome remained in the balance until the final ten minutes, praising New Zealand’s fightback after South Africa built a 15-point lead early in the second half. Erasmus identified Kurt-Lee Arendse’s long-range try as the turning point, saying the winger’s pace and attacking impact helped change the momentum and secure the series victory of three tests to one.

# And finally: Western Cape Education MEC Jaco Londt is urging communities to support Grade 12 learners as the countdown to the matric exams begins. He says 71-thousand-300 full-time candidates in the province will sit for the National Senior Certificate exams, starting on October 13 and ending on November 25. Londt says teachers, tutors and education officials are working hard to ensure learners are ready for their final school exams.

Stay tuned for more news………….