News 08:00

BULLETIN 12 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COPE says the higher stages of load-shedding show the ANC government is failing
# The National Union of Mineworkers says the government is over-reliant on the Energy Action Plan
# And cricket, Australia defeats India to win the under-19 World Cup

# The Congress of the People says the high levels of load-shedding being experienced is yet another confirmation that president Cyril Ramaphosa’s government is failing to properly govern and manage Eskom’s affairs. Stage five load-shedding is currently being implemented indefinitely. COPE’s acting general secretary, Erick Mohlapamaswi, says load-shedding has undermined economic growth and development for more than 14 years under the ANC, placing a risk to the lives and livelihoods of citizens who cannot afford alternative power-supply options:

# The National Union of Mineworkers says the government’s energy crisis solutions are over-reliant on the Energy Action Plan, which the union believes is insufficient to end load-shedding. The plan was launched by president Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2022, as a roadmap to end load-shedding and promote the long-term sustainability of electricity supply in South Africa. NUM says a plan anchored on the private sector will not resolve the energy crisis, as the sector is obsessed with profit maximisation rather than resolving problems.

# Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has refuted claims that the Nasi iSpani youth recruitment programme is an election campaign. The programme is an initiative aimed at addressing unemployment and promoting access to job opportunities available within Gauteng. The provincial government will employ 32-thousand people to work as education assistants, general school assistants, and early childhood development assistants in schools. Lesufi says the aim is to reduce youth unemployment:

# The White House says president Joe Biden had a phone call with Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu over plans for a military operation in Rafah, Gaza. The president warned that a military operation in Rafah should not happen, without a credible and executable plan to ensure the safety of about 1.3 million Palestinians sheltering there. Netanyahu has insisted they will go ahead with the military operation. The White House says president Biden also reaffirmed America’s shared goal to see Hamas defeated and to ensure the long-term security of Israel.

# Cricket: Australia defeated India by 79 runs to win the Under-19 Men’s World Cup for the fourth time in Benoni. Harjas Singh top-scored with 55 as Australia posted 253 for seven from their 50 overs, the highest-ever total in an Under 19 World Cup final. In reply, Mahli Beardman and Raf Macmillan took three wickets each, as India was dismissed for 174. Meanwhile, South Africa’s fast bowler Kwena Maphaka was named player of the tournament after he picked up 21 wickets.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-3-cents and the euro at 20-rand-54-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 48-thousand-130-dollars-40-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-22-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news…………