News 07:00

BULLETIN 24 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Rise Mzansi proposes a national water master plan to tackle the municipal water crisis
# Mining and education partners join forces to expand job opportunities for young people
# And, Iran has detailed plans to hit Gulf undersea cables if the war resumes

# Rise Mzansi has outlined proposals to address the nationwide water crisis, citing ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, water losses and municipal mismanagement. The party proposes a national water master plan, faster repairs to burst pipes, modern leak-detection technology and improvements to ageing water and sewer systems, with priority given to historically neglected communities. Rise Mzansi’s Mabine Seabe says urgent action is needed to restore reliable water services and improve accountability in municipalities:

Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has suspended the manager of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works and ordered an independent investigation following a chlorine supply interruption that affected water treatment. The city is also probing delays in warning residents about water safety risks. Briefing the joint parliamentary portfolio committees of Water and Sanitation and Health, mayor Nasiphi Moya said the probe is expected to establish what went wrong and who should be held accountable:

# Gold Fields’ South Deep Mine has partnered with other mining companies and educational institutions to improve job opportunities in the West Rand in Gauteng. The Siyakha Sonke initiative aims to help young people and communities gain skills that match the needs of employers. The partnership includes Sibanye-Stillwater, AngloGold Ashanti and Westcol TVET College. Gold Fields’ Benford Mokoatle says the programme will focus on practical training and preparing people for jobs in mining, renewable energy and manufacturing as industries change.

# Tehran has drawn up detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the United States and Israel attack Iran again. Two senior Iranian security officials ​told Reuters that undersea cables in the region could become targets in any renewed conflict if diplomacy with Washington ‌collapses. The two officials gave few details and did not say how or where exactly Tehran would carry out such attacks, but warned Washington not to “play with fire”. They said Iran had full access to the undersea cables and could easily destroy them.

And now Sport:

# Firstly, Cricket: Australia should expect reminders of their previous visit to Newlands when the third and deciding Test against South Africa starts in Cape Town on Tuesday. This will be the first time they return since the infamous sandpaper scandal. Steve Smith is still in the team he captained in 2018 when bowler Cameron Bancroft was caught roughing the ball with sandpaper. The first two Tests in the current series drew small crowds, but former Proteas captain Graeme Smith says Australia cannot hide from its history.

# And finally golf: Branden Grace is the latest South African to leave LIV Golf and the nine time DP world tour winner is set to return full-time to the circuit for the 2026-27 season. The 38-year-old has now joined his former skipper Louis Oosthuizen who announced his departure last Wednesday. Grace, who boasts 15 professional victories worldwide including two PGA Tour titles and winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge and SA Open, said his returning to the DP World Tour felt like coming home.  

Stay tuned for more news………….