News 16:00

BULLETIN 11 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Thoko Didiza highlights three decades of democracy as Parliament prepares for SONA
# The FF Plus condemns the sudden removal of a veterinarian from a ministerial task team
# And the Western Cape government launches the School Sport Strategy backed by a 130-million-rand investment

# National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza says 2026 marks 30 years since South Africa’s Constitution came into effect, celebrating the country’s democratic achievements. She highlighted the Constitution’s role in promoting human rights, equality, and governance accountability. Didiza says Parliament is prepared for tomorrow’s state of the nation address, and urged members to use the SONA debate to reflect on democratic progress, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen service delivery:

# The Freedom Front Plus says minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has unexpectedly removed prominent veterinarian Danie Odendaal from the ministerial task team on state-controlled diseases. The expert on foot-and-mouth disease was reportedly dismissed over not signing a declaration of impartiality and confidentiality. The party’s Wynand Boshoff says Odendaal’s removal raises concerns about the motive and could hinder efforts to combat the disease:

# Standard Bank has confirmed the phased rollout of smart identity card application and renewal services at selected  branches, in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs. The service will start at Rosebank, Maponya Mall and Westgate in Gauteng. During the launch, clients will pay only the standard Home Affairs fee of 140-rand, with no added convenience charges. Customers can apply, pay, and collect their smart IDs at the same branches. The service will expand to more than one-thousand branches nationwide by 2029.

Moving abroad:

# The number of people who died after an assailant opened fire at a high school in Western Canada has risen to ten, including the alleged attacker. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say six people were found dead inside a high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, and two more people at a nearby residence. Another person died on the way to hospital, and the attacker reportedly committed suicide. It has been described as one of the country’s deadliest mass casualty shooting in recent history.

# On to sports news: The Western Cape has launched its School Sport Strategy, supported by a 130-million-rand allocation over three years. This is a coordinated drive to strengthen school sport as a platform for youth development, healthy lifestyles, and the identification and nurturing of future champions. MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sports, Ricardo Mackenzie, says this marks a significant milestone in strengthening school sport as a pathway for learner development and social cohesion:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-87-cents and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-329-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-93-dollars-12-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….