News 14:00

BULLETIN 11 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Tshwane Investment Summit secures 86-billion-rand in investment pledges
# A Belgian festival cancels the performance of a German orchestra over its Israeli conductor
# And athletics: Akani Simbine bids for his first major 100-metres individual medal at the World Championships

# The City of Tshwane’s Investment Summit has secured 86-billion-rand in pledges for the city towards 22 projects in the property, construction, automotive and infrastructure sectors. Spokesperson Zintle Mahlati says a target of five-billion-rand was set for the event. She says the summit was part of the multiparty coalition government’s drive to accelerate economic growth, job creation and investment into the capital:

# The Forum for South Africa has welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to reopen the inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, approved the NPA’s request to reopen the case, with the support of the Biko family’s legal representatives. Biko died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody 48-years ago. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says this is an important step towards truth, justice, and accountability:

# The DA has referred the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to the Public Protector over a 54-billion-rand miscalculation in Eskom tariffs under Multi-Year Price Determination 6. The DA’s Kevin Mileham says the error, admitted by NERSA chairperson Thembani Bukula, will raise electricity prices in the next two financial years. The DA condemns NERSA’s governance failures, transparency gaps, and capacity issues, urging an overhaul of its board.

Moving abroad:

# A prominent German orchestra’s performance at a Belgian festival has been cancelled over concerns about its Israeli conductor, sparking a furious reaction from Berlin. Belgium’s Foreign minister, Maxime Prévot, distanced himself from the decision by Flanders Festival Ghent, where the Munich Philharmonic was to perform next Thursday, led by its future chief conductor. Israel’s Lahav Shani, who officially takes over as conductor of the orchestra for the 2026/27 season, is currently music director of the Israeli Philharmonic.

# Athletics: South African sprinter Akani Simbine says he is confident as he bids to win the first major individual 100-metres medal of his career at the World Championships, starting in Tokyo, Japan, this weekend. He will also be in the four-by-100-metres relay. The 31-year-old has claimed three Diamond League victories this season, having also won bronze at the World Indoor championships in March. Simbine says winning medals is not his story; they are just the cherry on top.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-54-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-997-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-622-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-93-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….