News 16:00

BULLETIN 14 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Steenhuisen commits to sustainable solutions for communities hit by the foot‑and‑mouth disease outbreak
# Cape Town International Airport soared past 11-million passengers in 2025
# And tennis: Wilander believes Federer would be a perfect coach for Alcaraz

# Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen says government remains deeply sympathetic to farmers and communities affected by the foot‑and‑mouth disease outbreak. He outlined a comprehensive 10‑year national strategy to combat the disease, strengthen animal health systems, and support rural livelihoods. Steenhuisen emphasises long-term planning is essential to protect agricultural production and restore confidence in livestock markets. He adds it will ensure a sustainable recovery for the sector:

# Former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has reiterated his 2020 dismissal after three years on suspension was unlawful. He appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating political interference in the justice system. Phahlane says he was made a guinea pig of the step-aside policy by then Police minister Fikile Mbalula. He says the matter is now before the courts and the Public Protector’s office:

# Cape Town International Airport has officially soared past 11-million passengers for the first time last year, marking a major milestone for the Mother City and the Western Cape. Mayoral committee member for Economic Growth and Tourism, James Vos, says when passengers fly to Cape Town, they spend money in hotels, restaurants, and small businesses, directly supporting employment across the city:

# Tennis: Former Swedish ace Mats Wilander believes fellow former world number one Roger Federer will be the ideal person to coach the current best player in the world. Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is without a permanent head coach after unexpectedly announcing his split with compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero last month. Wilander thinks Alcaraz should do everything in his power to make the Swiss maestro his new mentor, saying Federer had a different kind of game and could help the younger man with outstanding issues.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-8-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-2-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-946-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-634-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

# And finally: US civil rights activist Claudette Colvin has died at the age of 86. She made history with her arrest in 1955 after refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, months before Rosa Parks’ protest. Her courageous stand helped inspire the Montgomery bus boycott and formed part of the landmark ending of segregation on public transport. Her family confirmed she died under hospice care in Texas.

Stay tuned for more news………….