News 17:00

BULLETIN 28 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA urges South Africans to act against the failed BEE system
# Cricket: Uncertainty over the fitness of the top-ranked ODI bowler for the World Cup semifinal against South Africa
# And SA Canegrowers unveil a world-first sugarcane energy drink, ‘Shesha’

# The DA calls on South Africans to act against the ANC’s failed broad-based black economic empowerment policy. They unveiled a new billboard along Johannesburg’s N1 highway to highlight the failures of BEE and promote its Economic Inclusion for All Bill. The DA’s federal council chairperson, Helen Zille, told the media the bill aims to create jobs, develop skills, and invest in communities, offering a fairer system that rewards effort and opportunity rather than political connections:

# Deputy Police minister Cassel Mathale told Parliament’s ad hoc committee he first learned about the disbandment of the political killings task team through social media in early January. Mathale said discussions were held about strengthening police structures, but he did not expect suspended minister Senzo Mchunu’s directive. He criticised the communication breakdown, saying it was not appropriate to learn of key policing decisions online, calling the decision problematic and unexpected:

# Former president Thabo Mbeki has reflected on Africa’s unfulfilled promises of equality and progress. Speaking on his foundation’s debut of the African Renaissance podcast with politician Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Mbeki said non-ANC elements infiltrated the party during the 2007 Polokwane conference, weakening its core. He urged youth to champion reform and accountability. Mbeki and Ndlozi also opposed Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s call for tighter border controls, advocating instead for pan-African unity and transparency amid police corruption concerns.

# Cricket: There is still uncertainty over the fitness of the world’s top-ranked one-day bowler, Sophie Ecclestone of England, for tomorrow’s World Cup semifinal against the Proteas Women. She injured her shoulder during Sunday’s final group match against New Zealand and couldn’t complete her bowling spell. Management says Ecclestone will be assessed continuously before the game. She and teammate Linsey Smith are the joint leading wicket-takers at the tournament with 12 each. Australia and co-hostess India will face off in Thursday’s second semifinal.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-25-cents and the euro at 20-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-924-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-932-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

# And finally: SA Canegrowers launched a world-first energy drink made from fresh, raw sugarcane juice, Shesha. Produced and canned in KwaZulu-Natal, Shesha is naturally sweetened and contains 50-percent less caffeine than regular energy drinks. The initiative, led by SA Canegrowers and Womoba, aims to create jobs and boost rural economies in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The organisation’s Higgins Mdluli says Shesha comes in four flavours, original, lemon and lime, orange, and ginger beer, and is available online and at select retailers.

Stay tuned for more news………….