News 17:00

BULLETIN 3 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA advocates for strategic austerity measures to reduce government waste
# Joslin Smith’s mother and two co-accused plead not guilty at the start of their trial
# And rugby: Australian-born Mack Hansen signs a two-year contract extension with Ireland and Connacht

# ActionSA says strategic austerity measures are needed to reduce government’s wasteful spending and improve financial management. They urge Parliamentarians to lead by example by cutting unnecessary expenses, including travel costs. At the media launch of the cabinet reform package and zero-tolerance corruption bill, party leader Herman Mashaba called for accountability in managing public funds and holding officials responsible for wasteful expenditures:

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta says minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, must be applauded for launching a public-private partnership initiative. The minister has emphasised the need to build strategic partnerships that leverage private-sector innovation, investment, and expertise to supplement her department’s efforts. Makaneta says this initiative has the potential to transform the educational landscape of South Africa, particularly for rural learners who have been historically marginalised:

# Missing West Coast girl Joslin Smith’s mother and her two co-accused pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and human trafficking. The trial of Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, began in the High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay this morning. The girl was six-years-old when she disappeared from her mother’s home in February last year. Scores of residents are attending, with Joslin’s grandmother, Lauretta Yon, telling the media they hope Kelly will speak up and tell them where her daughter is.

# Rugby: Mack Hansen has signed a new two-year contract with Ireland and Connacht. The Australian-born wing has won 27 international caps for Ireland since making his Test debut against Wales in February 2022, scoring 12 tries. The 26-year-old, who played for Australia at under-20 level, is the latest senior Irish player to put pen to paper on a new deal. Hansen, who qualifies through his Irish-born mother, joined Irish province Connacht from Canberra-based Brumbies in 2021.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-63-cents and the euro at 19-rand-49-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-981-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-870-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks has extended warm wishes to Muslims worldwide as Ramadan begins. The party emphasises fasting, reflection, and unity while advocating for religious freedom. Hendricks has called for peaceful observance in conflict zones like Palestine, Sudan, and Jemen. He also calls for the humane treatment of Uyghur Muslims deported from Thailand and the release of imprisoned Muslim leaders:

Stay tuned for more news………….