News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US stalls 47-billion-rand’s climate finance for South Africa
# Athletics: South African sprinter Simbine claims bronze in the 60-meters at the world indoor championships
# And former world heavyweight boxer George Foreman dies at 76

# The US has delayed a 47-billion-rand climate finance package for South Africa, raising concerns it may be blocked entirely. At a recent meeting, US officials prevented the approval of a nine-billion-rand disbursement, which would have unlocked further funding. The move adds to tensions between the nations, as past US actions include halting funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and withdrawing from global climate initiatives. Another attempt to secure the funds may occur at Climate Investment Funds meetings in June.

Meanwhile, former International Relations and Cooperation minister, Naledi Pandor, has raised concerns over South Africa’s position amid global power shifts. Speaking at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, she warned that the country is caught in the US’ struggle for global dominance. Pandor also stressed the need for a more inclusive and effective global governance system to address shifting international dynamics:

# AfriForum has welcomed the withdrawal of a Northern Cape police directive mandating English-only official documents. The instruction, issued by deputy provincial commissioner Luntu Ngubelanga, faced backlash from AfriForum, Solidarity, and Cape Forum. Complaints to the Pan-South African Language Board, and legal action were considered. AfriForum’s Alana Bailey calls it a victory for language rights:

# Athletics: South African Olympic silver medal winner Akani Simbine claimed the bronze medal in the 60-metres for men at the world indoor championships in Nanjing, China. He posted his personal best time of 6.53-seconds in the semifinal before ending third in 6.54 behind Briton Jeremiah Azu and Australian Lachlan Kennedy in the final. This is South Africa’s first indoor medal since 2018. Simbine was part of the country’s four by 100-meter relay team who clinched silver at the Olympic Games in Paris last year.

# And finally: Two-time world heavyweight boxer George Foreman has died, aged 76. His family announced the news on Instagram. The American famously lost to compatriot Muhammed Ali in a world title fight in Kinshasa in the now-aday Democratic Republic of Congo in 1974, known as the “Rumble in the Jungle”. He won 76 out of his 81 professional bouts. Foreman later became known to millions of people around the world for his popular range of electric grills. He was married five times and had 12 children.  

Stay tuned for more news………….