News 17:00

BULLETIN 8 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An additional one-billion-rand is needed to rebuild Parliament 
# Water and Sanitation collaborates with neighbouring countries to address water challenges
# And the Bok coach may soon be addressed as “doctor Erasmus”

# The demolition of the fire-damaged National Assembly building is scheduled to start in April. Parliament’s Secretary, Xolile George, indicated to the Financial Management Committee that an additional one-billion-rand is required to the initial two-billion-rand allocated for upgrades. He also mentions the deadline for completion has been extended from November 2025 to February 2026. George indicated a revised estimate of 2.1-billion-rand for main works and 943-million-rand for modernising information and communication technology infrastructure. Meanwhile, offices for Members of Parliament are completed.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has appointed an independent panel to conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether there is prima facie evidence to pursue the removal of Mbuyiselo Botha as a commissioner of the Commission for Gender Equality. Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, says the panel must determine if Botha committed misconduct, is incapacitated, or incompetent. Mothapo says the panel must conclude and deliver its findings within 30 days:

# The DA in Limpopo urges increased collaboration between the Departments of Education and Transport for enhanced safety in learner transport. This follows after three learners lost their lives in an accident between Lebowakgomo and Burgersfort yesterday. The party calls for joint efforts to ensure compliance and safety in both public and independent school transport vehicles. The DA’s Katlego Suzan Phala urges law enforcement to intensify efforts for road safety, ensuring compliance, and preventing further tragedies:

# The Department of Water and Sanitation has announced collaboration with neighbouring countries to address water challenges across South Africa, during Water Month. Deputy minister David Mahlobo says water outages are due to poor infrastructure maintenance. The minister emphasises that this collaboration aims to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply to affected communities in different parts of the country.

# Rugby: Double World Cup-winning coach, Rassie Erasmus, is set to receive an honorary doctorate from North-West University. The PhD in Coaching Science will honour Erasmus for his leadership, innovative coaching strategies, and dedication to diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility within the rugby community. The honorary degree recognises Erasmus’s pivotal role in the Springboks’ triumphant 2019 and 2023 World Cup campaigns, and his efforts in talent development across national rugby.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-64-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-523-dollars-52-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-162-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-63-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….