News 09:00
BULLETIN 14 February 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The Institute of Directors in South Africa says ineffective governance is a major problem in municipalities
# ActionSA submits a motion of no confidence against the Ekurhuleni mayor
# And soccer: Bafana Bafana has arrived home to a heroes welcome
# The Institute of Directors in South Africa says ineffective governance lies at the heart of municipal dysfunction. The Auditor General, Tsakani Maluleke’s Material Irregularities in Local Government report, reveals that municipalities accrued almost 5.2-billion-rand in material losses. This is due to irregularities that include non-compliance with financial regulations and suspected fraud. The institute’s CEO, Parmi Natesan, says appointments made on political or other improper grounds are the root cause of the challenges hamstringing the state at all levels.
# MMH and Partners Africa have unveiled a six-point strategy to boost investment in South Africa’s pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing sector. Avacare Health Global’s Michael Mynhardt outlines key objectives including meeting UNAIDS targets by 2025, supporting five active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers by 2030, and reducing reliance on imports. Mynhardt says the initiative aims to establish a sustainable framework for pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring Africa’s access to life-saving medicine:
# ActionSA in Ekurhuleni has submitted a motion of no confidence against mayor, Sivuyile Ngodwana, and his team of mayoral committee members. Leader of the party’s caucus in the metro, Siyanda Makhubo, says since Ngodwana’s election, with the help of the ANC, EFF and seven minority parties, service delivery and the city’s financial standing has deteriorated. He says the motion of no confidence is in a bid to save Ekurhuleni from the brink of collapse:
# Soccer: Hundreds of supporters have welcomed back the bronze medal-winning Bafana Bafana squad at the OR Tambo International Airport this morning. South Africa beat the Democratic Republic of Congo to finish third in the Africa Cup of Nations which was eventually won by hosts Ivory Coast. Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, and EFF leader, Julius Malema, were some of the dignitaries that greeted the squad at the airport. Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams, says they are proud of their achievement:
# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-10-cents and the euro at 20-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-8-cents and Bitcoin trades at 49-thousand-414-dollars-67-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-992-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-67-cents a barrel
# And finally, R&B singer and songwriter Usher’s halftime Super Bowl performance at the Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Sunday drew 129.3-million viewers, making it the most watched ever. He performed a medley of hits, including Caught Up, Burn, Love In This Club, featuring cameos by Alicia Keys, will.i.am, Lil Jon, Ludacris, and H.E.R. Rihanna’s halftime Super Bowl performance last year and Katy Perry’s 2015 performance both drew 121-million viewers.
Stay tuned for more news………….