News 09:00

BULLETIN 20 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA unveils its alternative budget to revitalise South Africa
# The IFP says the budget speech must focus on controlling government spending
# And, the horrific condition of cattle on a ship docked in the Cape Town harbour is condemned

# The DA has unveiled its alternative budget, prioritising sustainable economic growth and job creation. The party proposes market-oriented reforms, calling for the removal of government-imposed barriers to growth and the revitalisation of state-owned entities. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana will deliver his budget speech tomorrow. The DA’s Dion George calls for the unbundling of Eskom and independent power producers to address the ongoing power crisis. George says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration has relegated tens of millions of citizens to poverty and despair:

Meanwhile, the IFP says it is cautioning the ANC to not fiscally dump finances onto quick election-winning projects to gain favour with the electorate. The IFP says this budget speech takes place at a time when the economy finds itself nearing a cliff edge. It says the minister must present a plan to get government debt under control, invest in sectors that will retain existing jobs, focus on the country’s bulk infrastructure programmes and provide more funding for local government.

# The City of Cape Town says it condemns the horrific conditions facing animals onboard the Al Kuwait ship, which is transporting around 19-thousand cattle and is currently docked at the Port of Cape Town. The SPCA obtained a court order yesterday to inspect the ship after the vessel emitted a terrible smell. Mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, says the city appreciates the proactive efforts by the SPCA officials to assess conditions on the ship:

# Tennis: American Taylor Fritz successfully defended his Delray Beach Open title to claim his seventh career title. The world number ten beat compatriot, Tommy Paul, 6-2, 6-3, to become just the second player in the tournament’s history to win the event two years in a row. Fritz says he had a long list of things he needed to do well, but a lot of that went out the window when he realised the conditions for the match:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-97-cents and the euro at 20-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 51-thousand-785-dollars-96-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-18-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Today marks World Day of Social Justice, commemorated under this year’s theme of Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances. The day aims to offer a platform to raise voices against injustice around the world. The United Nations says social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security, or the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It adds that reinforcing institutions and policies that truly advance social justice is an urgent priority.

Stay tuned for more news………….