News 16:00
BULLETIN 27 November 4 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Stage 4 load-shedding is implemented till Saturday
# The DA is frustrated over the delayed overseas online registration system launch
# And Cricket: Hardik Pandya returns to Mumbai for the IPL
# Eskom has announced stage 4 load-shedding will be implemented from 2pm today until 5am on Saturday. This is due to the increasing demand combined with insufficient generating capacity and the need to manage the emergency reserves.
# The DA Abroad says the anticipated launch of the overseas online registration system remains delayed, contrary to earlier expectations. The party expressed concerns in Parliament over persisting registration challenges faced by South Africans abroad. The Independent Electoral Commission’s officials acknowledged grappling with software and user interface issues, assuring a forthcoming launch in the next few days. The DA Abroad is actively pushing for a swift resolution and plans to launch a petition advocating for expanded voting stations, eased document requirements, and an immediate online portal launch.
# A coalition of nine medical associations, the South African Health Professionals Collaboration has expressed disappointment with the National Council of Provinces committee’s lack of amendments to the National Health Insurance Bill. The coalition’s spokesperson, Simon Strachan is deeply concerned about the unintended consequences likely to arise from the hasty adoption of the NHI Bill in its current form. Strachan calls for a thorough review to ensure a workable, affordable, and improved healthcare system for all citizens:
# Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, today launched the provincial fire readiness initiative in Stellenbosch, anticipating a busy fire season. Last summer saw seven-thousand-215 wildfires, prompting the government to allocate 16-million-rand for the upcoming season. This includes aerial and ground support with four helicopters, four bomber planes, and eight spotter aircraft. Bredell expressed gratitude to the approximately two-thousand-300 firefighters. He urged public cooperation in preventing intentional or negligent wildfires for a more effective initial response and control.
# Cricket: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will play for Mumbai Indians again in next year’s edition of the Indian Premier League. He made his IPL debut for the team in 2015. Mumbai has traded Pandya from Gujarat Titans for his existing player fee of 33.8-million-rand after he led Gujarat to the title in their debut season in 2022. The team was runners-up earlier this year. Indian opener Shubman Gill will be Gujarat’s new captain. Pandya replaces Australian Cameron Green, who moves to Royal Challengers Bangalore.
# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-66-cents and the euro at 20-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 36-thousand-944-dollars-81-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-12-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-93-cents a barrel.
# And finally: Snake and Venom Education has issued a vital caution as snakes seek refuge from intense heat by entering homes. Mozambique spitting cobras, green mambas, black mambas, Cape cobras, puff adders, and others are on the move. The organization emphasises snakes may be searching for secure hideouts to lay eggs. The hotspots include Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Town in the Western Cape. Conservationist Carla Goede told eNCA that the public is strongly advised against interacting with these reptiles:
Stay tuned for more news………….