News 11:00

BULLETIN 4 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom reaches 283 consecutive days without load-shedding
# An education activist calls for a boost of the Sibusiso Bengu Development Grant funding
# And Darts, teenage sensation Luke Littler becomes the youngest world darts champion

# Eskom says it has reached 283 consecutive days without load-shedding since 26 March last year, further signalling the structural improvements in generation performance. Acting spokesperson, Aubrey Sambo, says this achievement, brought along by the investment in the Generation Recovery Plan and enhanced maintenance protocols, has also resulted in year-to-date diesel savings of 16.52-billion-rand:

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has urged the government to increase funding for the Sibusiso Bengu Development Grant. This grant supports historically disadvantaged institutions, which face infrastructure, staffing, and resource challenges. He emphasises that increased funding is vital to fulfil their role in addressing inequalities, producing skilled graduates, and uplifting communities:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services has confirmed that the fires in Franschhoek Pass and De Doorns were contained late last night. The municipality’s spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto says no injuries or damages to property were reported. She says and some of the fire vehicles have been able to return to base and Franschhoek Pass is currently open to traffic:

# Thick fog has delayed hundreds of flights at Delhi airport as India grapples with an intense cold wave. The country’s Meteorological Department says other airports also experienced zero visibility. In the travel delays and chaos, dozens of trains had to be rescheduled as well, or were running late. The foggy conditions are likely to continue for the next few days as dense fog is common at this time of the year in Delhi and other parts of northern India.

# And finally darts: The teenage sensation Luke Littler from Warrington in Cheshire has won the World Darts Championship after beating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at Alexandra Palace. The 17-year-old who lost in the final last year, was the pre-tournament favourite after winning ten trophies this season. He is now the world’s youngest-ever darts champion, taking home 11.6-million-rand in prize money. Littler’s run in last year’s championship final captured the public’s imagination. He first picked up a dart at 18 months old and is credited with supercharging the game’s popularity.

Stay tuned for more news………….