News 14:00

BULLETIN 26 February 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government seeks to settle the SABC’s debt and address its infrastructure
# The City of Cape Town condemns a deadly shooting involving school children in Atlantis
# And tennis: Tiley resigns as the CEO of Tennis Australia to become head of the US Tennis Association

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says government will prioritise resolving the financial and infrastructure challenges at the SABC. A 700-million-rand allocation has been welcomed as part of efforts to stabilise the struggling public broadcaster. Speaking to the SABC. Godongwana says National Treasury will first settle the corporation’s debt to Sentech and prevent the liquidation of the Post Office:

# Pam Golding Property Group says the 2026/27 budget’s tax relief measures are good news for consumers and the housing market. The adjustments to income tax brackets and savings limits are expected to increase disposable income, improve affordability and boost buyer confidence, especially among first-time homeowners. The company’s CEO, Andrew Golding, says while fuel levy increases may add pressure, the overall budget is likely to support housing demand and strengthen market activity.

# The City of Cape Town has condemned a shooting in Atlantis which claimed the lives of a Grade 8 learner and a learner transport driver. Attackers opened fire on a minibus taxi transporting learners near Atlantis Secondary. Another learner sustained critical injuries. Mayoral committee member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, says when assailants open fire on a learner transport vehicle, it can only be described as an act of war:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s firefighting operations remain under way in the mountains above the Rooiberg Cellar near Robertson after lightning-sparked blazes spread across inaccessible terrain. Spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto says the original fire line is contained, while the Dassieshoek fire burns slowly away from property. A separate blaze above Meulplaas remains erratic due to shifting winds and aged and dry vegetation. Otto emphasised the protection of property remains a priority:

# Tennis: South African-born administrator Craig Tiley is on his way to America after resigning as CEO of Tennis Australia. He headed the Australian Open for the past 20 years. Tiley is set to become the new CEO of the US Tennis Association, but will stay in Australia for some time to ease the switch to new leadership. Tennis Australia’s director, Chris Harrop, says the sport has gone from strength to strength under Tiley’s leadership. They had started the search for a new CEO.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-87-cents and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-307-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-178-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….