News 07:00

BULLETIN 1 November 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Youth Development Agency launches a 2.5-billion-rand fund to fight youth unemployment
# The Western Cape MEC Bredell is confident the Garden Route can handle the holiday season water demand
# And cricket, Pakistan demolish South Africa to level the T20 series

# The National Youth Development Agency has launched a 2.5-billion-rand National Youth Fund to address unemployment. Speaking at the Youth Investment Indaba in Johannesburg, NYDA deputy chairperson Bonga Makhanya said the fund will attract local and international investments over three-years to support youth-led enterprises. He called on private sector partners to co-invest in the initiative:

# The Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport has called on PRASA to establish a dispute resolution mechanism for businesses, following non-payment concerns by main contractors forcing small businesses to close. The committee visited the East Rand corridor, inspecting the Daveyton station, Brakpan sub-station, and Germiston bridge. They requested a report within three weeks on resolving these disputes. Chairperson Donald Selamolela says small businesses are vital for employment and project delivery:

# The DA in Tshwane claims the metro’s revenue collection has plunged from 93-percent in September 2024 to 81-percent a year later under the ANC/EFF/ActionSA coalition. DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink says the 12-percentage point drop, revealed in the latest budget report, threatens Tshwane’s financial stability and ability to pay Eskom. He says the city’s 857-million-rand deficit and scrapped City Cleansing Levy have left it without a credible recovery plan.

# Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell says the Garden Route is ready to meet water demand ahead of the summer holiday season. Bredell assured residents and tourists that municipalities are managing supplies carefully, with contingency plans and water restrictions in place where needed. With above-normal rainfall forecast for November to January, Bredell says the region is well-prepared and urges everyone to use water responsibly.

# The UN’s human rights chief has condemned US military strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific, saying the lethal attacks violate international law and amount to “extrajudicial killing”. More than 60 people have reportedly been killed in US strikes since early September. Volker Türk called on Washington to halt the strikes immediately and conduct prompt, independent and transparent investigations. President Donald Trump earlier said he has the legal authority to continue bombing boats in international waters to prevent the flow of drugs to his country.

# And finally cricket: South Africa’s batters were blown away for 110 by Pakistan’s pace bowlers in Lahore on Friday night, after the hosts won the toss and send the Proteas in to bat. Pakistan reached their target with 41 balls in hand and nine wickets in the bank with sensational hitting from opener Saim Ayub for an unbeaten 71 in just 38 balls. The convincing nine-wicket triumph over South Africa in the second T20 has levelled the series. The Proteas won the first match on Tuesday and the three-match series will be decided today in Lahore.

Stay tuned for more news………….