News 16:00

BULLETIN 13 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government gazettes a draft by-law to improve food safety
# Rugby: The injured Australian winger Dylan Pietsch is out for the rest of the international season
# And Cape Town wins the bid to host WorldPride 2028

# Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced that government has gazetted a new draft by-law to regulate township economies and improve food safety. This follows the deaths of children in several provinces from foodborne illnesses, including six children in Naledi, Soweto who died after eating snacks contaminated with the highly toxic chemical organophosphate Terbufos. Ntshavheni told the media the by-law sets clear standards for township businesses, ensuring better food safety and accountability: 

Meanwhile, deputy minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, says government will continue to monitor the labour market and provide the necessary support to Stats SA to continue releasing reliable statistical data for all. Government’s spokesperson, Mandisa Mbele, says the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the third quarter revealed a positive trend in the South African labour force, with a decline in the unemployment rate:

# The Gauteng legislature has reached a deal with union Nehawu, downgrading fraud charges against 32 employees to negligence after they illegally claimed travel stipends. These employees, who now face a 12-month repayment plan, initially claimed allowances during lockdown without travelling. Despite Auditor-General directives to prosecute, the legislature opted for a lenient resolution, drawing public scrutiny over its handling of irregular expenditures.

# Rugby: Australia winger Dylan Pietsch has been ruled out of the rest of the international season after suffering a calf injury in the 42-37 victory against England at Twickenham. He will be replaced by Josh Flook in the squad in Cardiff, while captain Harry Wilson is out of Sunday’s Test against Wales due to concussion protocols. The Wallabies are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time since July when they beat Georgia.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-99-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-94-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-740-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-611-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Cape Town has been chosen as the host city for WorldPride 2028, becoming the first city in Africa to host the international event. WorldPride celebrates LGBTQ+ pride, promoting equal rights and visibility for the community worldwide. WorldPride Cape Town bid leader, Michael Gladwin, says this is not just a moment for Cape Town but a pride for all of Africa, adding that they are dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy. 

Stay tuned for more news………….