News 08:00
BULLETIN 13 September 8 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Former minister Pravin Gordhan passes away in hospital
# AfriForum says the private sector must assist municipalities
# And the UN warns of escalating conflict in Yemen
# The family of former Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan has confirmed that he has passed away in hospital at the age of 75. He retired from politics in May this year, bringing to an end decades of leadership in the public service. He is survived by his wife Vanitha, and his daughters Anisha and Priyesha. Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Neeshan Balton says throughout his career as a political activist, Gordhan remained committed to building and strengthening public institutions to support Constitutional democracy:
# AfriForum says municipalities cannot manage themselves properly, and it’s time for the private sector to make their systems and processes available to prevent further deterioration. Government departments’ municipal debt nationwide amounts to 21-billion-rand, while municipalities nationwide will have to spend 100-billion-rand to upgrade water treatment plants. AfriForum says civil organisations and the private sector must play an oversight role, to ensure that funds are not misused and to make municipal processes more efficient.
# ActionSA says it cautiously welcomes Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s joint operation to improve community safety and bring back the rule of law. The mayor launched a joint multidisciplinary operation in Thembisa earlier this week, targeting by-law enforcement infringements and criminal activities. ActionSA’s, Siyanda Makhubo, says the mayor should use its model of boots on the ground, which involves a multidisciplinary approach to problems of lawlessness plaguing communities:
# The United Nations warns that despite recent economic de-escalation agreements, Yemen remains at risk of a return to full-scale conflict, with continued fighting between the warring sides. Over 18-million people, half the country’s population, remain dependent on humanitarian assistance and protection. UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, says the regional tensions from the war in Gaza continue to complicate the crisis in Yemen further:
# Tennis: Twenty-two-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Laver Cup. The 38-year-old Spaniard has not played since his defeat alongside compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics last month. Nadal says he believes other players can help the team deliver the win for Team Europe. The Laver Cup, contested between Team Europe and Team World, starts in Berlin next Friday.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-74-cents and the euro at 19-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-691-dollars-27-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-566-dollars-34-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-26-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….