News 07:00

BULLETIN 24 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA says cadre deployment cripples the country
# Tennis: The favourite Iga Swiatek is out of the Dubai Open
# And, Johannesburg Zoo celebrates 120th birthday with a R20 entrance fee

# ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has criticised cadre deployment, stating that it hampers economic growth. Mashaba has also accused the DA of hypocrisy, alleging the party practises cadre deployment while targeting the ANC on the issue. Mashaba claims there were attempts to practise cadre deployment during his term in office as a DA member in the City of Johannesburg:

# Trade union Solidarity says it is deeply disappointed in the Legal Practice Council as the requests for information or a meeting have simply fallen on deaf ears. The union has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act application, seeking comprehensive details, following the council’s decision to phase out Afrikaans as the language medium for examinations. Solidarity’s Riaan Visser says they aim to protect the rights of Afrikaans candidates and uphold constitutional principles of language diversity and access to rights:

# Kenya has announced the waiver of entry fees for passport holders from several countries, including South Africa, in response to criticism of the recently introduced 578-rand fee. The move aims to boost tourism and attract business travellers. Exemptions also apply to passport holders from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Mozambique, members of the East African Community and San Marino. However, travellers from these countries will still need to obtain a valid electronic travel authorisation document lasting 90 days.

# Tennis: Qualifier Anna Kalkinskaya of Russia surprised Polish favourite Iga Swiatek in straight sets at yesterday’s Dubai Open to secure her place in this afternoon’s final. She beat Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 to meet Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who beat Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-2, 7-6. Both finalists will move into the top-twenty rankings for the first time on Monday.