News 13:00
BULLETIN 18 May 1 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Solidarity welcomes the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the National Health Insurance Act
# The road between Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves remains closed following a significant rockfall
# And rugby: Former Scotland and Lions legend Scott Hastings dies at 61
# The Solidarity Movement has welcomed the Constitutional Court’s decision declaring the Certificate of Need provisions in the National Health Insurance Act invalid. The organisation argued the law gave government excessive control over where healthcare professionals could operate, expand or relocate practices. Solidarity says the system infringed on constitutional rights, property rights and professional freedom. Deputy CEO Anton van der Bijl says this could lead to state control of private healthcare:
# The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure says the road between Oudtshoorn and the world-renowned Cango Caves remains closed, as teams continue to clear the debris of a significant rockfall. Motorists travelling to the caves are advised to make use of the alternative route via the MR363, travelling along the R62 towards Calitzdorp before turning off towards Buffelskloof and Matjiesrivier. MEC Tertuis Simmers says safety remains top priority:
# The DA in the Western Cape says the provincial government is committed to protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases through strong immunisation programmes and targeted outreach campaigns. Nine-seven-percent of children under the age of one had been vaccinated against measles and rubella during the 2025/26 financial year. Spokesperson Memory Booysen says key challenges include vaccine misinformation, safety concerns in some communities, and access barriers in remote or high-crime areas:
Moving abroad:
# A US Senate official removed security funding that could be used for president Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom from a massive spending package. Elizabeth MacDonough’s decision deals a blow to Trump and his administration, which has sought the money for security purposes related to the ballroom. Trump has said the construction of the hall would be funded by 6.5-billion-rand in private donations. Senate Republicans are seeking 65-billion-rand in taxpayer funding to the Secret Service for security upgrades to the ballroom and other structures being built beneath it.
# Rugby: Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions centre Scott Hasting was hailed a legend following his death at 61 from complications of cancer treatment. Hastings played 65 Tests for Scotland between 1986 and 1997, 51 of them together with his brother, fullback Gavin, and also represented the Lions on their tours of Australia in 1989, and New Zealand in 1993. Hastings retired in 1999 and became a successful rugby broadcaster. World Rugby says he played a pivotal role in Scotland’s Grand Slam triumph in 1990.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-62-cents and the euro at 19-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-924-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-547-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-97-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….