News 12:00
BULLETIN 12 December 12 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The Electricity minister says ending load-shedding and securing future energy security go together
# Despite successful roadshows, drivers keep racking up fines in Cape Town
# And Rugby: The World Rugby chairperson says the Women’s World Cup 2025 will inspire new audiences
# Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says government has two critical tasks, ending load-shedding and securing more generation power for the future. Ramokgopa says part of the problem why the country has been challenged by load-shedding, is a lack of appreciation for long-term interventions to secure the country’s energy security in the future:
Meanwhile, Ramokgopa says the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has met the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s requirements, for the procurement of two-thousand-500 megawatts of nuclear power. This will be in addition to the one-thousand-800 megawatts Eskom hopes to secure by extending the life of the Koeberg nuclear power station in Cape Town by 20 years. Ramokgopa says the country needs additional generating capacity to help secure the country’s energy future:
# The City of Cape Town says despite roadshows where drivers have an opportunity to finalise their fines and warrants, they continue to rack up fines. The total fine and warrant payments, after representations, at the recent roadshow amounted to just over 4.6-million-rand. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says this past week’s enforcement statistics have shown that lawlessness on the roads continues as the city’s enforcement agencies issued 27-thousand-747 traffic fines:
# Rugby: World Rugby chairperson Bill Beaumont says the Women’s World Cup in England in 2025 will be a generational moment for the sport. Sixteen teams, up from 12 in the 2021 tournament, will be competing, with hosts and two-time winners England, reigning champions New Zealand, France and Canada, already assured of places in the global showpiece. Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will host the opening match, while Twickenham will host the final. Beaumont says the World Cup will inspire new audiences in ways that rugby events have not done before.
# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-1-cent and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 41-thousand-826-dollars-59-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-985-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-2-cents a barrel.
# And finally: Health experts from the University of Stellenbosch assert that the sugar tax alone falls short in addressing obesity and non-communicable diseases. The 2018-introduced Health Promotion Levy aimed to curb sugar intake, but University of Stellenbosch experts, including Yolande Smit, caution against relying solely on the tax. Smit emphasised potential adverse effects, citing compensatory behavior opting for unhealthy alternatives. With the current 11-percent levy deemed insufficient, Smit calls for increased consumer education on sugar intake.
Stay tuned for more news………….