News 09:00

BULLETIN 21 June 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says South Africa and Namibia pursue Africa’s renewal
# The Agriculture minister says red meat is safe despite foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks
# And the Bayesian superyacht is lifted off the seabed in a salvage operation

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa and Namibia share a common vision on issues of political and economic integration of the African continent. Ramaphosa received Namibian president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on a courtesy visit at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the President’s official residence in Pretoria. He says both countries pursue Africa’s renewal, South-South cooperation, and the promotion of a rules-based, equitable international system of governance:

# The Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has reassured South Africans that red meat in the country is safe to consume, after foot-and-mouth disease has spread to the North West province. A second batch of vaccines has since been ordered from the Botswana Vaccine Institute, after the first order arrived earlier this week. Steenhuisen has reassured South Africans that red meat in the country is safe to consume:

# The National Council of SPCAs has filed criminal charges against Daybreak Farms’ board following a mass animal welfare disaster where over one million birds suffered due to extreme neglect. A High Court ruling confirmed Daybreak’s gross mismanagement and compelled it to stop inhumane practices. The NSPCA uncovered widespread suffering, calling it a grave moral failure. While winning the legal battle, the NSPCA warns of ongoing financial strain, as Daybreak has entered voluntary business rescue, complicating cost recovery.

# Ten months after the luxury superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily in a sudden storm, salvage crews have managed to lift it 50 metres from the seabed on Friday afternoon. The company running the 540-million-rand recovery operation said the yacht was scheduled to be lifted over the weekend, but it went faster than anticipated. The 56-metre superyacht went down when hurricane-force winds swept through the area on 19 August last year. Seven people, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, died, while 15 survived.

# Cricket:  Tazmin Brits hit a sensational unbeaten 98 from 63 balls to set the South African Women’s team up for a commanding 50-run victory over West Indies Women in their T20I contest in Barbados on Friday night.  Brits was at the crease from the start to the finish of South Africa’s innings and led her side to 183 for six and was named Player of the Match for her performance. This is the South Africans’ highest score against the West Indies in T20 internationals.  South Africa now leads the three-match series 1-0.

# And finally: The South African National Parks has kicked off a seedling planting initiative along the Woodcutters Trail in Table Mountain National Park as part of efforts to rehabilitate Newlands Forest. The project addresses damage caused by illegal bark stripping and includes law enforcement, tree painting, and awareness campaigns. Over 50 indigenous trees will be planted in collaboration with local partners. The first phase starts this year, with a second phase set for 2026.

Stay tuned for more news………….