News 12:00

BULLETIN 17 November 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A new minister and deputy minister is sworn in at the Union Buildings
# The DA says the NHI funding model is dead after Godongwana’s disapproval
# And rugby: Mbonambi and Mchunu join the Springboks in Ireland

# The DA’s Willie Aucamp has been sworn in as the new minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, replacing Dion George. also from the party. In addition, the DA’s former national Social Development representative, Alexandra Abrahams, has taken office as deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. She replaces Andrew Whitfield, who was removed in June for undertaking an unauthorised international trip to the US. President Cyril Ramaphosa wished the newly-appointed leaders success.

Meanwhile, George is reportedly facing several allegations, including being accused of sexual misconduct. According to News24, staff members have accused him of getting changed while in a room with a staff member without warning, and explicitly recounting his past sexual encounters. George reportedly also took lavish international trips and was fond of expensive hotels. He has denied the allegations, saying the claims were an attempt to damage his reputation.

# The DA says Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s National Health Insurance programme has proven to be solely ideological and to the detriment of the working class. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has criticised the department’s NHI funding plan, describing it as an attack on the middle class due to its proposal to scrap medical tax credits. The DA’s Michele Clarke says alongside numerous litigation cases and broad disapproval from the private sector, there is considerable consensus against the NHI:

# Rugby: Hooker Bongi Mbonambi and prop Ntuthuko Mchunu joined the Springboks in Ireland as Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team prepare for the final two clashes of the outgoing tour. Erasmus says the decision to call them up was prompted by the longer tour than usual, and the two big matches lined up against Ireland and Wales. The Springboks travelled from Italy to Dublin yesterday and will begin their on-field preparations for Saturday’s match against the Irish today.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-6-cents and the euro at 19-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-784-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-80-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The University of the Western Cape is mourning the passing of Franklin Sonn. The 86-year-old, who served as democratic South Africa’s first ambassador to the United States, died in Cape Town on Saturday. UWC’s Gasant Abarder says Sonn’s legacy of integrity, leadership and unwavering service will continue to inspire generations of scholars, citizens and all who remain committed to building the country he so deeply loved:

Stay tuned for more news………….