News 08:00

BULLETIN 17 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The bailouts to State Operated Enterprises have cost taxpayers over 456-billion-rand
# The Agriculture minister says food security is a matter of national security
# And cricket: Virat Kohli lauds AB de Villiers after his induction into the Hall of Fame

# National Treasury has revealed that bailouts for cash-strapped state-owned entities have cost taxpayers 456.5-billion-rand over the past nine financial years. This is set to rise to 520.6-billion-rand by the end of March next year. Eskom has received the bulk of the bailouts, as it will have received a total of 496-billion-rand by the end of the current financial year. Treasury’s chief director, Rudzani Mandiwana, says it will take time to reverse the consequences of operational, maintenance, and governance failures at SOEs responsible for electricity, rail, and ports.

# Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen says food security is a matter of national security, and the government of national unity is committed to addressing this head-on. A recent national survey undertaken by the Human Sciences Research Council revealed that 63.5-percent of South African households face food insecurity. Steenhuisen says he will ensure that the 2024 to 2029 National Food and Nutrition Security Plan, which is currently under review, gets the attention of all stakeholders involved, up to its implementation:

# Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has lauded the police and the public for their crucial role in the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of 18 people in Lusikisiki last month. Three suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday morning. A fourth suspect appeared in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and decided not to apply for bail. Provincial government’s spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie, says the premier wants to see justice for the victims:

# Former UK pop band One Direction, Liam Payne, has died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina’s Buenos Aires. Local authorities say he suffered serious injuries and that an autopsy will be carried out. The 31-year-old became famous with his One Direction bandmates, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles, on The X Factor in 2010. They released five albums and had four world tours, before going on indefinite hiatus in 2015. Payne released his debut solo album in 2019.

# Cricket: Former Indian captain Virat Kohli described AB de Villiers as the most talented player he has ever played with after the former South African batter was inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame. They played together for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League. The International Cricket Council asked Kohli to write a letter about De Villiers. He says the South African, nick-named ‘Mr 360’, is thoroughly deserving of the honour due to his impact on the game, which he describes as unique.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-65-cents and the euro at 19-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-547-dollars-62-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-678-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….