News 13:00

BULLETIN 16 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is confident the government of national unity will thrive despite the BELA Act debates
# Gauteng Health says progress is being made to ensure healthcare facilities are NHI-ready
# And rugby: Pernas replaces Orlando in Argentina’s team to play Springboks

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed confidence that the government of national unity will thrive despite challenges. In his weekly newsletter, he reassured the public about the government of national unity’s stability amidst debates over the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. The president signed the new education law on Friday, fulfilling his constitutional duty, but postponed implementing some clauses to allow further discussion on contentious issues. Ramaphosa remains optimistic about the progress of the GNU, focusing on inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and building a capable state. 

# The Gauteng Health Department says in preparation for the rollout of the National Health Insurance, it is actively preparing its healthcare facilities to meet the required standards. Currently, 22 out of 36 Community Health Centres inspected are compliant, and 14 of the 37 hospitals inspected have also been certified compliant. The department’s spokesperson, Khutso Rabothata, says NHI will play an important role in improving access to healthcare services:

# Non-profit advocacy organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi says the ongoing housing shortage in Cape Town continues to affect thousands of low-income residents. The metro has in recent years signed off on ten-thousand housing units on well-located land, but accessing the funding to build is a big concern. The organisation’s, Nick Budlender, says there is an urgent need for effective funding solutions to improve living conditions for those in need:

# Rugby: Argentina will be without experienced centre Matías Orlando in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks in Santiago. The 32-year-old, who has yet to feature in this year’s competition, is struggling with a muscular injury. Head coach Felipe Contepomi has called up 21-year-old uncapped wing Santiago Pernas as Orlando’s replacement. Pernas was outstanding in Super Rugby Americas and was named as the best back of the season in the league.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 19-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-882-dollars-95-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-586-dollars-72-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Tito Jackson, the brother of Michael and Janet Jackson, has passed away at the age of 70. He was popularly known for being a member of the pop band The Jackson 5, with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, who died in 2009. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and produced several number-one hits in the 1970s including ABC and I Want You Back. Tito’s sons, Taj, Taryll and TJ, say their father was an incredible man who cared about everyone.

Stay tuned for more news………….