News 12:00

BULLETIN 7 May 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa conveys condolences after the George building collapse
# Minister Zizi Kodwa says the DA’s flag-burning advert insults South Africa’s symbol of unity
# And, soccer: Ten Hag still believes he is the right person to restore Manchester United

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families and friends of the five workers who died in the building collapse in George in the Southern Cape. Seventy-five construction workers were on site when the multi-storey apartment complex collapsed yesterday afternoon. Forty-nine workers are still trapped under the rubble. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the president has emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future tragedies:

# Sport, Arts, and Culture minister Zizi Kodwa has expressed his dismay at the DA’s political advertisement depicting the burning of the South African flag. Kodwa condemned the act as offensive and insulting, stating the flag represents the nation’s unity, aspirations and democracy. He criticises the DA’s leaders for their desperation and recklessness, stating attempts to divide South Africans using the flag will not succeed. The ministry’s spokesperson Litha Mpondwana says the South African flag should not be used to sow division:

# The killing of three foreign tourists in Ensenada, Mexiko, has sparked fear and anger in a region always being regarded as safe despite the drug wars in the Baja California state. The bodies of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, were found in a well after they disappeared during a surfing trip earlier. Local authorities believe they were killed by people trying to steal their vehicle’s tyres. Locals took to the streets after the bodies were discovered, demanding safe beaches.

# Soccer: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes he is still the right person to continue the club’s rebuild. The Reds suffered a four-nil defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park yesterday evening. The loss leaves United eighth in the Premier League and out of the European places currently. Ten Hag says despite having ten first-team players out injured, it is clear the team is underperforming:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-48-cents and the euro at 19-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-827-dollars-39-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-313-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga has embarked on a pioneering rewilding project, aimed at reviving lost species and crafting an ecotourism haven. The project is spearheaded by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency and the Aspinall Foundation. The project will unlock at least 120-million-rand of funding for the reserve and the surrounding areas. The foundation’s Dereck Milburn says they decided to jump on the opportunity and help unlock the area’s conservation and economic potential.

Stay tuned for more news………….