News 15:00

BULLETIN 4 September 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A commission shatters the Johannesburg hijacked building myth after the Usindiso fire
# Public confidence in the government of national unity declines to pre-election levels despite initial optimism
# And the Thabo Mbeki Foundation hosts the African Peace Dialogue

# The commission of inquiry into the Usindiso building fire, which claimed at least 77 lives in 2023, found Johannesburg’s housing crisis is driven by poverty and a lack of affordable housing, not just hijacked buildings. The commission, headed by Justice Sisi Khampepe, inspected 110 properties and revealed that nearly 80-percent pose severe fire risks, with most lacking basic services such as water, electricity, and sanitation. The report accuses the city of failing to provide housing and leaving over 30-thousand households in unsafe conditions.

# A new Ipsos survey reveals eight in ten South Africans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, despite initial optimism after the formation of the government of national unity last year. While 42-percent say GNU parties are working well together, almost six in ten remain unhappy with municipal services, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Over half of South Africans support inter-party cooperation in local government, hinting voters may favour parties that govern collaboratively ahead of the local government elections.

# The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union has concluded that Basic Education minister, Siviwe Gwarube, remains opposed to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and wants to amend the act using regulations. Sadtu’s spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi, says the Bela Act’s draft regulations cannot be used to change the text of the act, impose requirements not provided for in the act, or undermine the purpose and intent of its provisions:

# Athletics: The University of the Free State says it is proud to celebrate the inclusion of several Kovsie athletes and alumni in South Africa’s final team for the World Championships in Japan. Among those selected is current student Mthi Mthimkulu. Representing the Kovsie Athletics Club alongside him are Miné de Klerk and Wayde van Niekerk. Former Kovsie athletes Colette Uys and Victor Hogan have also earned their places in the national team. The team comprises 49 athletes along with four relay teams.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-78-cents and the euro at 20-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-935-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-537-dollars-23-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Thabo Mbeki Foundation is hosting its second African Peace and Security Dialogue in Magaliesburg, Gauteng, this week. Organisers say visa delays for nearly half of the 175 invited delegates could disrupt attendance, but the dialogue will proceed. The foundation’s CEO, Max Boqwana, told SABC News the four-day forum brings together African leaders and analysts to find solutions to conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo amongst others:

Stay tuned for more news………….