News 16:00

BULLETIN 9 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attendance of Mozambique presidential inauguration is uncertain
# The Kwaito legend Doc Shebeleza dies at 51
# And Rugby: South African teams need victories to reach the round of 16 in European competitions

# President Cyril Ramaphosa remains undecided about attending Mozambique president-elect Daniel Chapo’s inauguration next Wednesday. Post-election unrest has raised security concerns. According to the Presidency, an advance team from the Presidential Protection Services is looking into the safety prospects in Mozambique. Speaking at the Progressive Business Forum Presidential Golf Day in Cape Town, Ramaphosa called for peaceful dialogue between Chapo and opposition leader Venancio Mondlane:

# Kwaito legend Doc Shebeleza, born Victor Bogopane, has passed away at the age of 51. His family confirmed the news earlier today. Known for hits like Ghets Ghetsa and S’kumfete, Shebeleza rose to fame in 1995 and left an indelible mark on South African music. The musician battled health issues for years and recently revealed financial struggles, spending over 20-thousand-rand monthly on medication. His passing follows the recent death of singer and actor Winnie Khumalo, leaving the music community in mourning.

# eThekwini Municipality says it has opened the uMhlanga Main and Bronze Beaches. This after being temporarily closed by the city following reports of unidentified solid matter mixed with beach sand. Spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana says laboratory results released by scientists from the Scientific Services of samples taken from the solid “balls”, which were shown in a circulating video on social media, have found that the solid particles are fats, likely originating from food establishments:

# Rugby: Victories will be key for all five South African teams in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup as the teams gear up for the penultimate pool round this weekend. In the Champions Cup only the Sharks are currently ranked in the top four with two pool matches remaining, while the Bulls are currently ranked fifth and the Stormers sixth. They need victories to advance to the round of 16. The same applies for the Lions and Cheetahs, who are currently in fourth and fifth place in their Challenge Cup pools.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-88-cents and the euro at 19-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-459-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-642-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Catherine, Princess of Wales, turns 43 today. Her husband Prince William praised her strength fighting cancer during the past year. Kate, as she is widely known, revealed last March that she had been diagnosed with an unspecified cancer. Posting a photo of a smiling Kate on social media, William addressed his birthday message “to the most incredible wife and mother”. He writes: the strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you.

Stay tuned for more news………….