News 18:00

BULLETIN 30 April 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The strong growth in the tourism sector continues in 2026
# FOSA slams the Postbank’s decision to end banking services with the South African Post Office
# And in roadrunning: Runners will face the shortest Comrades in years in June

# The Tourism Ministry says South Africa’s tourism sector continues its upward trajectory, with a 12.5-percent increase international arrivals recorded compared to 2025. From January to March, inbound travelers reached over 2.9-million. According to Statistics South Africa, the sector supported nearly 954-thousand direct jobs in 2024, highlighting its economic importance. The department’s spokesperson, Adrian Simpear, says Tourism minister Patricia de Lille, has welcomed the growth, crediting strong public-private partnerships:

# The Forum for South Africa has strongly condemned Postbank’s decision to terminate cash deposit and withdrawal services at South African Post Office branches. From tomorrow, Postbank’s savings account customers will access deposit and withdrawal services through Standard Bank and retailers. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says this reckless move is nothing short of an attack on the poor, the elderly, and millions of South Africans who depend on accessible, community-based banking services:

# Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union is calling for a comprehensive review of safety measures within correctional centres. This follows the arrest of six correctional officials at De Aar Correctional Centre in the Northern Cape in connection with the murder of an inmate, after he attacked their colleague. POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo, says this incident has further exposed the extreme dangers faced by correctional officials within facilities plagued by gang activity:

# US president Donald Trump’s claim that King Charles privately agreed with him on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, caused consternation among UK pundits. Trump said during a state dinner for the British royals that the king agrees Iran should never have a nuclear weapon. This public disclosure was deemed a significant breach of royal protocol, as private discussions with the monarch are traditionally kept confidential to ensure political neutrality. Buckingham Palace since said in a statement the king is mindful of his government’s long-standing position on preventing nuclear proliferation.

# Roadrunning: Athletes will face a distance of 85.7-kilometre in this year’s Comrades Marathon, making it the shortest race in recent history. The organisers confirmed the distance for the iconic race’s 99th edition, being run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on the 14th of June. It will be 133-metres shorter than the previous shortest up-run in 2024. Race director Sue Forge says the slight reduction in distance is largely due to route adjustments due to ongoing roadworks. A total number of 22-thousand athletes are allowed to take part.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-77-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-507-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-622-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….