News 18:00

BULLETIN 4 March 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NSFAS board will take significant steps to implement the Werksmans attorneys’ report
# Police investigate the robbery at former Free State premier Sisi Ntombela’s farm
# And rugby: The Blitzboks must regroup to ensure a qualification for the Grand Final weekend in Madrid

# The acting chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme board, Lourens van Staden, says significant strides have been made in implementing recommendations from the Werkmans attorneys report. The report aims to analyse and enhance the scheme, focusing on procurement systems and management deficiencies. NSFAS is committed to addressing concerns raised in the report and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing. Van Staden says the board is dedicated to holding those responsible accountable, enhancing the scheme’s efficiency and effectiveness:

# Police in the Free State are investigating a robbery that took place at former Free State premier Sisi Ntombela’s farm house in Holfontein, Heilbron district this morning. Unknown men robbed the Ntombela’s cellphones and bank cards. Provincial commissioner Baile Motswenyane has mobilised resources to track down the perpetrators.

# There are growing calls for diverse agri-food systems in South Africa. Researchers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal are spearheading a collaborative initiative set to influence policy around the issue. They hope to draw attention to neglected an under-utilised crop species. The research seeks to address the complex challenges faced by current food systems. They also seek to mitigate the risk of malnutrition and the development of communicable diseases.

# The Lesotho Highlands water project tunnel is set to undergo a six-month closure from the first of October until the end of March next year, for essential maintenance. The closure, impacting the Integrated Vaal River System water users, will affect South Africa’s water supply along the Liebenbergsvlei River in the Free State. The Department of Water and Sanitation assures plans are in place to sustain water supply to affected areas.

# Rugby: The Springbok Sevens men are struggling in seventh place on the log after five tournaments of the world series. The 11th place in Los Angeles yesterday was the Blitzboks’ worst finish so far this season. They have a month-long break before tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore and then the top eight teams will head to Madrid for the Grand Final weekend. Blitzbok coach Sandile Ngcobo says they must regroup quickly:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-1-cent and the euro at 20-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-11-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-211-dollars-8-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-96-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….