News 12:00

BULLETIN 11 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Health minister tables his 2024/25 budget in Parliament
# Arthur Zwane is back as the MK Party’s secretary-general
# And, rugby: England’s Baxter is handed his first Test start for the All Blacks clash

# Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, is presenting his budget vote for the 2024/25 financial year in the National Assembly today. He will outline plans and priorities to strengthen the public health system for the next five years. The budget debates, starting today and concluding on the 24th, will update Parliament and the public on departmental performance and the use of public funds. Other ministries, including Social Development, Police, and Transport, will also table their budgets during this period.

# The MK Party has announced that Arthur Zwane is back as it’s secretary-general after party president Jacob Zuma did not accept his resignation. He resigned last week, citing an excessive workload. Sifiso Maseko, who had taken over Zwane’s role, will be moved to the Human Resources Department. MK’s Nhlamulo Ndhlela says continuity within the party’s ranks is critical given the turbulent times the country is experiencing under the current government of national unity:

# Cape Town’s Traffic Department says there have been numerous reports of flooding and obstructions in roadways overnight, resulting in several road closures. AZ Berman Drive between Wespoort and Imperial has been closed, along with the M5 south-bound off-ramp onto Ottery Road, and Rockley and Lester roads in Wynberg due to flooding under the railway bridge. Spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout says trees are obstructing the roadways, including on the R300 northbound before Hindle Road:

In another development Agri Western Cape says while inclement weather may cause crop and infrastructure damage, the rain is desperately needed. The province is currently experiencing heavy rain leading to flooding, strong wind and snow in some areas. Agri Western Cape’s Jannie Strydom says the rain is filling up major catchment areas which is crucial for crops like wheat, canola, barley, and oats. He adds that farmers are pleased with the rain, despite potential damage in low-lying areas.

# Rugby: Loosehead prop Fin Baxter will make his first start for England in the second Test against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. The 22-year-old, who made his Test debut from the bench in last week’s narrow 16-15 loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin, replaces the injured Joe Marler. Bevan Rodd comes into the squad to back up Baxter on the bench. England needs to win to level the two-Test series at a venue where the All Blacks have not lost for 30 years.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-6-cents and the euro at 19-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-172-dollars-32-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-383-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….