News 11:00

BULLETIN 2 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# UDM leader Bantu Holomisa calls for unity and transformation in 2025
# Gauteng welcomes 203 new babies in the first 12 hours of New Years Day
# And, cricket: A place in the World Test Championship final is up for grabs in Sydney

# UDM leader Bantu Holomisa has called for renewed commitment to justice, equality, and opportunity in 2025. He urges South Africans in a statement to work together to tackle poverty, unemployment, and inequality, emphasising that progress begins with individual actions. Holomisa highlights the importance of kindness, collaboration, and innovation in creating positive change. He expresses hope for a safer, more prosperous nation where everyone can contribute to building a shared future.

# Gauteng public healthcare facilities delivered 203 babies in the first 12 hours of New Year’s Day. The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has visited the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto where she congratulated the new parents. She also officially opened the newly expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that will provide high quality care to newborns in need of specialised care:

# The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has sparked speculation after changing his name on X to Kekius Maximus. The tech mogul and close confidant of US president-elect Donald Trump offered no immediate explanation for his new profile image depicting the character Pepe the Frog, a meme that has been used by far-right groups. The move has sent ripples through the cryptocurrency world, skyrocketing the value of a memecoin, a digital currency inspired by internet memes. In the past Musk has influenced crypto prices with his social media commentary.

# Cricket: A place in the final of the World Test Championship is up for grabs in the fifth and final Test between Australia and India, starting at the SCG in Sydney tomorrow. Both teams, as well as Sri Lanka can still qualify to face South Africa at Lord’s in London in June. Australia is leading the series 2-1 and needs just one more victory to seal its place. If India wins, they will stay in contention while a draw will keep Sri Lanka in the running.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-75-cents and the euro at 19-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-50-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-725-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-633-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The City of Cape Town says the Street Parade, also known as the Kaapse Klopse, will welcome the New Year in the streets of the CBD on Saturday. Approximately 20-thousand performers from 18 minstrel troupes will entertain crowds accompanied by banjos, guitars, ghoema drums, trombones and tubas. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith says starting from District Six around midday, the procession of performers will entertain crowds along the historic route before they finish in the Bo-Kaap:

Stay tuned for more news………….