News 11:00

BULLETIN 21 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# FOSA rejects any attempt to dilute or rename Human Rights Day
# The Institute of Race Relations challenges Paul Mashatile to prove the success of black economic empowerment
# And rugby: Six tries get the Bulls back on track

# As the country commemorates Human Rights Day, the Forum for South Africa rejects any attempt, whether deliberate or subtle, to dilute or rename this history in a way that distances South Africans from its meaning. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashiliompane, says this day is rooted in the painful history of the Sharpeville Massacre. He says changing the narrative risks erasing the lived experiences and sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price:

# The Institute of Race Relations has challenged deputy president Paul Mashatile to provide evidence that Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment has succeeded in reducing unemployment, boosting incomes, or supporting economic growth. The organisation says six months after its first request, no proof has been given. The institute’s Hermann Pretorius argues that race-based policies have failed. Pretorius proposes alternative laws to directly target disadvantage and empower the poor.

# The Motor Industry Staff Association has called for stronger measures to protect motorists. This comes after a spiking incident on the N4 Eastbound between Silverlakes and Donkerhoek, east of Pretoria, in Gauteng, left several vehicles with flat tyres. While applauding increased police visibility, the union urges stronger safety measures on highways. MISA’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says these opportunistic crimes target isolated drivers at night, putting workers and their families at risk:

# The Geographical Names Committee of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government has expressed pride in its work to change what it considers the offensive name of East London to kuGompo City. The minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, approved the renaming last month as part of a broader but often controversial push to rename towns for heritage and transformation purposes. The name KuGompo refers to the sound of waves crashing against Gompo Rock. The committee’s chairperson, Noma-Afrika Maxongo, says the process to rename was long and tedious and started in 2019.

# Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has told national TV that she wishes she had never met late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a 20-minute interview, she said she needed to take responsibility for being manipulated and deceived by Epstein. Norwegians discovered seven weeks ago that the crown princess had exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2014, and stayed in his Florida house when he was not there. Her decision to speak publicly comes after intense scrutiny and pressure to explain herself, including from the Norwegian prime minister.

# And rugby: The Bulls got their United Rugby Championship campaign back on track with a comprehensive 40-7 win over Cardiff at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night, after leading 33-7 at halftime. It wasn’t always pretty, but six tries and five points on the log provided a momentum boost and belief again after they were dismantled by the Stormers pack. The Bulls’ tries came from Marcell Coetzee, Johan Grobbelaar, David Kriel, Embrose Papier, Elrigh Louw, and Ruan Vermaak. Handre Pollard converted four, with David Kriel converting one. Cardiff’s single try came from Harry Millard and was converted by Callum Sheedy.

Stay tuned for more news………….