News 12:00

BULLETIN 17 July 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The UIF spends over seven-billion-rand to create 234-thousand job opportunities
# The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure declares war on pit toilets in schools
# And, rugby: History will be made in the Test between South Africa and Portugal on Saturday

# The Unemployment Insurance Fund says it intends to spend over 7.7-billion-rand on several government agencies to implement interventions that will create employment opportunities. This is part of the fund’s partnership with government institutions to create more than 234-thousand job opportunities. The UIF’s spokesperson, Trevor Hattingh, says apart from working with private businesses through the Labour Activation Programme, they will also leverage existing government programmes and interventions to reduce unemployment:

# National Treasury says the City of Tshwane has still not submitted all the documents required to have Edwin Sodi and his company Blackhead Consulting blacklisted. It was part of a joint venture contracted in 2019 to upgrade the Rooiwal waste water treatment works. The job was discontinued in June 2022, with only 60-percent of the work completed, despite full payment having been made. A forensic probe found the tender had been irregularly awarded. Treasury says it cannot add names to the register of restricted suppliers list on its own initiative.

# The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has declared war on pit toilets in schools. Minister Dean Macpherson expressed concern over the ongoing risk these toilets pose to children’s lives. In his budget vote speech, the minister revealed he has engaged with Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube to urgently address this issue. Macpherson states meetings with National Treasury and MECs are underway to develop an eradication plan: 

# Rugby: Saturday’s Test between South Africa and Portugal in Bloemfontein will make history for more than one reason. It will be the first-ever Test between the world champions and Portugal, and Hollie Davidson of Scotland will become the first woman ever to referee a Bok encounter. Salmaan Moerat will make his debut as South African captain in a squad which includes seven uncapped players. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus expects a high-tempo game at the Free State stadium, with kick-off at 5pm:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-13-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-84-dollars-60-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-478-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-93-cents a barrel.

# And finally, Madonna‘s biopic is back in the works after it was put on hold in January so she can focus on her global Celebration Tour. The new title is Who’s That Girl, a nod to Madonna’s 1987 film and song of the same name. Inventing Anna actress Julia Garner is reportedly still the frontrunner to portray the pop superstar, while Florence Pugh, Odessa Young, and Alexa Demie also auditioned for the lead role. The script is being rewritten by Madonna and Secretary writer Erin Cressida Wilson.

Stay tuned for more news………….