News 13:00

BULLETIN 24 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom implements Stage 2 load-shedding for the week ahead
# Southeast Brazil is battered by downpours, with at least a dozen people killed
# And, rugby: The Springbok women win their season opener in Spain

# Eskom will implement Stage 2 load-shedding from 4PM today until 5AM tomorrow morning. Load-shedding will then be suspended during the day until 4PM tomorrow afternoon. The cycle is expected to repeat daily. The power utility says it needs to use Stage 2 load-shedding to replenish its emergency reserves.

# The Private Association of Rhino Conservation Reserves demands swift and severe action against government officials implicated in poaching-related crime. This follows the reinstatement of a nature conservation official from North West’s Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Mxolisi Stephen, previously charged with alleged poaching offenses. Stephen faces eight charges of alleged rhino dehorning and horn transportation without permits. The association’s Glen Phillips calls for accountability:

# A powerful storm has claimed at least a dozen lives in southeastern Brazil, mostly in the mountainous parts of Rio de Janeiro state, where rescue teams are dealing with a “critical” situation. The deluge came as Brazil suffers a string of extreme weather events. The storm follows a record heat wave, when humidity helped send the heat index soaring above 62 degrees Celsius. An AFP team witnessed the rescue of a girl who had been buried more than 16 hours in the rubble. More than 90 people were rescued lately.

# Rugby: Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen congratulated his team on their narrow 15-13 win over Spain in their season-opener in Valladolid yesterday. Jakkie Cilliers succeeded with a late penalty for the two-point lead, before Spain failed with a penalty in the final minute. The Bok women are playing higher ranked opponents in preparation for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar. They face the USA in London on Saturday:

# And, the minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy will oversee the inaugural Biodiversity Economy and Investment Indaba in Boksburg, Gauteng, from tomorrow to Wednesday. Themed ‘Collective Action for Thriving People and Nature,’ the event aims to review the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy. It promotes conservation, species and ecosystem management while fostering growth and transformation in the sector. The objectives include mainstreaming biodiversity economy imperatives, addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality, mobilising investment, and showcasing biodiversity products and services.

Stay tuned for more news………….