News 11:00

BULLETIN 19 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Saftu says neoliberalism and budget cuts will not create jobs
# Action Society rejects a phased approach to the national sex offender register
# And Meghan Markle relaunches her lifestyle brand

# Union federation Saftu says the government of national unity continues to champion neoliberal economic policies that actively undermine job creation. The expanded unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 remained unchanged at 41.9-percent. Saftu’s spokesperson, Newton Masuku, says ahead of Finance minister, Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech today, they are demanding an immediate reversal of austerity measures, and the adoption of a bold, worker-centred economic programme:

# Action Society has rejected Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi’s phased approach for public access to the national register for sex offenders. The organisation argues the register remains largely inaccessible, only available to employers and not the public, falling short of international standards. Action Society’s Juanita du Preez says protecting offenders under privacy laws is unacceptable:

# The Gauteng Liquor Board has suspended the popular Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria’s operating licence with immediate effect. This follows videos depicting acts of ill-treatment, torture, and sexual assault of patrons at the establishment. Some of the victims have opened a criminal case, while police are searching for at least eight suspects. The board says these incidents have raised significant concerns regarding the safety and lawful operation of the premises. It adds that Zanzou’s licence will be suspended pending the conclusion of a formal inquiry.

# Rugby: Australia will face England, Italy, Ireland, and France, to finish their end-of-year northern hemisphere tour. Joe Schmidt’s side will begin with a return to Twickenham on November one to face England, before taking on Italy on the eighth, their first match-up in three years. They will then head to Dublin to face Ireland on the 15th before concluding with a Test against France on November 22nd. Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh, says the Wallabies are looking forward to testing themselves against the best in the northern hemisphere.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-623-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-931-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-82-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has relaunched her lifestyle brand from American Riviera Orchard to “As Ever”. Products will range from jewellery, pet food, and yoga gear, to home decor and cookbooks. This comes two weeks before the launch of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, which the streamer says reimagines the genre of lifestyle. Markle says “As Ever” is a brand she has created and has poured her heart into:

Stay tuned for more news………….