News 18:00

BULLETIN 15 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa’s vision for the NHI is to tackle poverty by making healthcare more affordable
# The automotive sector is on track with the production of hybrid and electric vehicles 
# And motorsport: Alex Albon is staying with Williams

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Health Insurance aims to tackle poverty by making healthcare more affordable. In his address while publicly signing the NHI Bill into law, the president highlighted that the rising cost of healthcare impoverishes families, and the NHI seeks to alleviate this burden. Ramaphosa says the NHI is expected to improve health outcomes, prevent avoidable deaths, and free up resources in poor families for other essential needs:

Meanwhile, the Freedom Front Plus criticises Ramaphosa’s timing in signing it into law, calling it a desperate move by the ANC before the elections. They argue the NHI is unviable, likening it to other failed public enterprises under the ruling party. The party vows to challenge the NHI in the Constitutional Court. Party leader Pieter Groenewald urges voters to consider alternatives in the upcoming elections:

# South Africa’s Automotive Industry Master Plan outlined by minister Ebrahim Patel continues to take shape. The plan aims to bolster the country’s role in the automotive sector, reflecting significant growth over the past five years. Electric vehicles are particularly prioritised as part of Africa’s strategic positioning in the industry. Patel is confident that the ongoing development of hybrid and electric vehicle production will reach its 2035 target:

# Motorsport: Alex Albon has committed his long-term future to Williams after it was announced he had signed a multi-year contract extension with the British Formula One team. The Thai driver had been linked with Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for 2025, and also a return to Red Bull. Albon won 27 of their 28 points in the 2023 drivers’ championship as the team finished seventh place in the constructors’ championship, their best placing since 2017. Albon has yet to win a point from this season’s opening six races.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-36-cents and the euro at 19-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-149-dollars-74-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-362-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Today marks the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, focusing on climate change’s impact on families and their role in climate action. Climate change affects families through increased pollution and extreme weather, leading to displacement and loss of livelihoods. The United Nations stresses the need for drastic action, advocating for family empowerment through education, sustainable habits, and circular economy principles. Two publications, Climate Change and Families. and Home, Family, and Climate Change, will be unveiled today.

Stay tuned for more news………….