News 15:00

BULLETIN 12 December 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister John Steenhuisen is confident South Africa and Angola will boost agricultural ties
# Rugby: Bok flyhalf Handré Pollard is uncertain about his future with Leicester Tigers
# And the local film Old Righteous Blues will find out soon if it’s still in the running for an Oscar

# Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has expressed optimism about strengthening South Africa and Angola’s relations after meeting Angolan president João Lourenço at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Steenhuisen says discussions focused on expanding agricultural trade, supporting small-scale farmers, and he anticipates addressing climate change’s impact on farming. He emphasises the importance of continental collaboration to drive sustainable agriculture and enhance economic growth across Africa:

# Medical professionals have submitted proposals to president Cyril Ramaphosa, calling the National Health Insurance unimplementable. The Universal Healthcare Access Coalition suggests compulsory medical scheme membership for high earners, a state-supported scheme to compete with private options and independent hospital management. The coalition suggests private sector contributions with tax financing to achieve equitable healthcare. Critics argue the NHI risks overburdening resources and professionals, with alternative reforms offering a more sustainable path to universal healthcare.

# South Africa has issued a Request for Information to assess industry readiness for Independent Transmission Projects, ahead of a 2025 pilot tender launch. Jointly announced by the National Treasury and Ministry of Electricity, responses are due by 28 February. The Request for Information aligns with plans to address a 390-billion-rand grid investment backlog. It aims to enhance private-sector involvement in expanding powerlines and transformers under the National Transmission Company South Africa’s development plan.

# Rugby: Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard says he is still uncertain about his future at Leicester Tigers as his contract nears its end. The 30-year-old joined the English club in 2022 and has made 22 appearances since, including four this season. He has been linked with a move to Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, where he could link up with Bok teammate Cheslin Kolbe. Pollard told the BBC he does hope that his contract situation is sorted out soon:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 18-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 100-thousand-351-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-710-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The National Film and Video Foundation says the immense talent and creativity of the South African film industry is unmatched. The top eleven nominations for the best international feature film category for the Oscars will be announced next Tuesday. South African film Old Righteous Blues is in the running. The film is about a young man’s journey to overcome personal limitations and rise above the ghosts of the past to unite a fractured community. The final top five films for the category will be announced on January 17th.

Stay tuned for more news………….