News 09:00

BULLETIN 13 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema says Ramaphosa’s SONA offered nothing new
# Cape Town’s mayor welcomes the SANDF deployment in gang-infested areas
# And, today is World Radio Day, celebrating a powerful medium that informs, entertains, and educates

# EFF leader Julius Malema says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address consisted largely of things he had spoken about in the past, the only difference being that he was saying them with vigour. He has, however, applauded the president’s decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force in the Western Cape and Gauteng to help fight gangsterism and illegal mining. Malema also criticised Ramaphosa for setting up more task teams to grapple with the country’s many issues:

The MK Party’s reaction was that the SONA was a waste of money, as Ramaphosa’s speech was yet again filled with empty promises. This year’s event cost taxpayers just over seven-million-rand, largely driven by the cost of hiring equipment. MK Party’s Mzwanele Manyi says the lack of economic transformation, corruption, and ageing water infrastructure are some of the persistent challenges Ramaphosa has failed to address consistently:

Meanwhile, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed the South African National Defence Force deployment for short-term stabilisation support to the police in gang crime hotspots. This comes as Ramaphosa has resolved to deploy soldiers to communities under siege from gangsters in the Western Cape and illegal mining activities in Gauteng. Hill-Lewis has challenged Ramaphosa to act urgently on real solutions for upping gang crime convictions, by devolving powers for metro police to help SAPS investigate gang, gun, and drug crime.

# Soccer: Arsenal missed the chance to go six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, after being held to a 1-1 draw against Brentford in London. Noni Madueke put the Gunners ahead in the second half; however, the Bees went level through Keane Lewis-Potter’s header from a long throw to boost their European hopes. Mikel Arteta says they lacked defensive solidity against Brentford. Arsenal now have a four-point gap to Manchester City in second place, with Aston Villa in third and Manchester United in fourth.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-96-cents and the euro at 18-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-73-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 33-thousand-391-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-984-dollars-79-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

# And finally, today is World Radio Day, being celebrated under the theme, Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice. This day recognises the significant role that radio has played for over a century as a medium for informing, entertaining, and connecting communities throughout the world. UNESCO says this year’s theme highlights that when used ethically and responsibly to support professional judgement, creativity and public service values, artificial intelligence can become an ally in strengthening audience trust. 

Stay tuned for more news………….