News 12:00

BULLETIN 28 October 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The rehabilitation of the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment works enters the next phase
# The deadline looms for NSFAS funding applications for next year
# And rugby: Bongi Mbonambi leaves the Sharks and joins the Stormers

# Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya says the rehabilitation of the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment works has entered an intensive recovery phase. This follows an emergency intervention by the metro and Rand Water to restore safe drinking water. A major public health crisis resulted in over 300 residents contracting gastrointestinal illnesses from untreated water from the plant. Moya’s spokesperson, Zintle Mahlati, says preparations for the filtration system are about 90-percent complete, including the testing of electrical components:

Staying with health matters:

The Limpopo Department of Health has intensified malaria surveillance and control measures in Sekhukhune District following the confirmation of seven cases in the Marble Hall and Moganyaka areas. All seven patients have received antimalarial treatment and are recovering. The department’s spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana, says initial assessments of nearby water bodies did not detect mosquito larvae or adult mosquitoes. He adds further environmental and entomological assessments are underway:

# Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela is urging prospective students, particularly those currently in Grade 12, to apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding for the 2027 academic year. Applications close on Friday. The department’s spokesperson, Matshepo Seedat, says by the 19th of this month, NSFAS has recorded more than 868-thousand applications:

Moving abroad:

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country must establish a strong, right-wing national government, emphasising no leader should rule through the backing of Israeli Arabs, whose parties posted strong gains in yesterday’s elections. Exit polls show Netanyahu’s governing bloc tied with the opposition grouping led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot on 51 seats each, short of securing a majority. Eisenkot says they had made history while promising to ensure the people’s decision is translated into a Zionist government which is stable and good for all citizens.

# Rugby: Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi signed a one-year contract with the Stormers following his release from his contract with the Sharks due to disciplinary issues. The Stormers are experiencing a hooker crisis following injuries to André-Hugo Venter, Deon Fourie and Lukhanyo Vokozela, while JJ Kotzé is serving a ban. Veteran number two Scarra Ntubeni, who retired last season, is training with the team this week and could be considered in case of another injury before Saturday’s United Rugby Championship home match against Ulster.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-64-cents and the euro at 18-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-100-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-49-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 115-dollars-98-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….