News 09:00

BULLETIN 22 March 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US stalls 47-billion-rand’s climate finance for South Africa
# Malema insists on expropriating fertile land without compensation for landless black people
# And cricket: KKR hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of the IPL

# The US has delayed a 47-billion-rand climate finance package for South Africa, raising concerns it may be blocked entirely. At a recent meeting, US officials prevented the approval of a nine-billion-rand disbursement, which would have unlocked further funding. The move adds to tensions between the nations, as past US actions include halting funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and withdrawing from global climate initiatives. Another attempt to secure the funds may occur at Climate Investment Funds meetings in June.

# EFF leader Julius Malema insists on expropriating fertile land without compensation for landless black South Africans. Speaking to supporters gathered at the Dlomo Dam in Sharpeville, Gauteng, on Human Rights Day, Malema reaffirmed his party’s stance against the Land Expropriation Act in its current form. He says it is a cosmetic measure that fails to return land to rightful owners. Malema vowed to continue to fight for expropriation without compensation in Parliament:

AfriForum has meanwhile accused the ANC-led government of failing to uphold human rights. CEO Kallie Kriel highlights the country’s high murder rate, rising poverty, and high unemployment rate as evidence of state failure. He criticises the government for creating an unstable investment climate. Kriel also warns that dysfunctional schools and attacks on mother-language education threaten children’s futures and Afrikaans cultural survival:

# Cricket: Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders host Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of the Indian Premier League this afternoon. The action starts at four, South African time. Thirteen cities in the country will host the ten teams in 74 matches until the final on the 25th of May, also hosted by KKR. Each team will play seven home and seven away games, followed by the three play-off matches and the final. The competition has prize money of 3.6-billion-rand this year.

More news from the IPL is that 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi will make history as the tournament’s youngest player should Rajasthan Royals decide to use him in this year’s edition. Rajasthan starts their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad tomorrow. The team bought the batter for 2.37-million-rand. Captain Sanju Samson says the teenager looked very confident during practice this week, hitting sixes out of the ground. But batting coach Vikram Rathour said earlier they hadn’t decided whether they will expose him to the international game at this tender age.

# And finally, the Western Cape government has urged the public to stay vigilant as scorpion venom supplies are running low. The provincial government specifically highlighted the thick-tail scorpion, the most venomous species found in the area. Residents are advised to take precautions such as shaking off shoes before wearing them, especially after sunset, clearing yard clutter, and avoiding areas like rocks where scorpions may be hiding.

Stay tuned for more news………….