News 15:00

BULLETIN 8 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The George building collapse toll remains unchanged as rescue efforts continue
# The DA is concerned as vacancies at Tembisa Hospital affect patient care 
# And former SA boxer and three-time world champion Dingaan Thobela’s children will continue his legacy

# The George Municipality has confirmed that figures remain unchanged following a building collapse incident on Victoria Street. Rescue efforts continue with a specialised asbestos removal company now roped in to dismantle the parking structure adjacent to the disaster site. Municipal authorities confirmed 36 patients have been retrieved, comprising seven dead, 16 critical, six with life-threatening injuries, and seven with minor injuries. A total of 39 of the initial 75 workers on site remain unaccounted for.

Meanwhile, the African Transformation Movement is gravely concerned about the circumstances surrounding the collapsed building and the lack of transparency regarding the company responsible for the construction project. It says the secrecy surrounding the contractor raises serious questions about accountability and adherence to safety standards. The ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona says it is troubling to observe a lack of scrutiny on companies, particularly those owned by white individuals, who often escape accountability for not adhering to safety regulations:

# The DA is calling for urgent action at Tembisa Hospital, citing critical staff shortages and equipment deficits compromising patient care. This follows after Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko revealed that there are 104 vacancies, including nurses and specialists. The DA’s Jack Bloom says equipment needs, from MRI to ventilators, have also exacerbated delays and limited treatment options. He calls for the appointment of a competent CEO and adequate resource allocation:

# Boxing: Former South African boxer and three-time world champion Dingaan Thobela’s children pledge to uphold his legacy. A memorial service held at Hill on Empire in Parktown honoured Thobela as a sporting icon and symbol of unity. The “Rose of Soweto” passed away in Mayfair, Johannesburg after battling health issues. His funeral will take place tomorrow. Thobela’s son, Elton, fondly remembers his father as a fighter and humble person:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-63-cents and the euro at 20-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-239-dollars-56-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-316-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

# And, a survey by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation has revealed that only 16-percent of South African youth aged 18 to 24 feel optimistic about their country’s future, citing concerns about government corruption, unemployment, and undocumented migrants. Almost three-quarters of youth said they felt the country is headed in the wrong direction, compared with 63-percent in 2022 and 50-percent in 2020. This sentiment contrasts sharply with youth in 15 other African nations, with Rwandan and Ivorian youth being the most optimistic.

Stay tuned for more news………….