News 08:00
BULLETIN 19 November 8 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Koeberg Unit safely and successfully synchronised to the grid
# Government welcomes Standard and Poor’s affirmation of stable debt outlook
# And, rugby: SA teams on losing streak in United Championship
# Eskom has announced the successful synchronisation of Unit 1 at Koeberg Power Station to the grid after replacing three steam generators. According to Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena, this marks a major milestone in the generation operational recovery plan and aligns with Eskom’s strategic objectives. Mokoena highlights that the outage for Unit 1 was the longest in the station’s history. Mokoena says the outage for Unit 2 will commence, once Unit 1 achieves stability, with all necessary commissioning tests completed:
# Government has acknowledged Standard and Poor’s decision to affirm the country’s long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings at ‘BB-minus’ and ‘BB’, respectively. The agency attributes the stable outlook to a credible central bank, a flexible exchange rate, and an actively traded currency. Positive indicators include increased private-sector investment in power generation and renewables. The government has announced its commitment to boosting gross domestic product growth by improving electricity provision, optimising logistics and enhancing infrastructure delivery over the next three years.
# ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has issued a rallying call urging every eligible South African voter to register and verify their registration in this first voter registration weekend. This campaign, organised by the Independent Electoral Commission, leads up to the 2024 general elections. Mashaba underscores the critical importance of this moment for every eligible citizen to have their voices heard. He emphasises that South Africans can shape the nation’s future towards inclusive economic prosperity by actively participating in the voter registration process:
# Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency in the capital, Harare, due to a cholera outbreak. The country has been grappling with the outbreak in recent months, exacerbated by limited access to clean water. City mayor Ian Makone warns of parallels to the 2008 outbreak, during which four-thousand people lost their lives. The international Red Cross reports hospitals are struggling to cope with the surge in admissions, citing a shortage of health workers and insufficient supplies to curb transmission.
# And, rugby: Munster made it four out of four against the Stormers as they held on against a strong physical effort from their opponents in severe conditions at Thomond Park in Limerick to clinch a 10-3 United Rugby Championship win. The Stormers had another frustrating night as they failed to capitalise on their dominance in the second half. In yesterday’s earlier match in Durban, the Sharks scored two tries against one by Connaught, as the visitors edged home 13-12.
Stay tuned for more news………….