News 12:00

BULLETIN 31 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Dion George says South Africa’s coastline is a national asset under threat
# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is focused on achieving a secure and reliable water supply
# And soccer: Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are through to the FA Cup semifinals

# Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, has stressed the importance of safeguarding South Africa’s three-thousand-592-kilometer coastline while unlocking its potential for equitable prosperity, climate resilience, and ecological health. The minister launched the 2025–2030 National Coastal Management Programme. The department’s spokesperson, Thobile Zulu-Molobi, says George has emphasised the urgency of the programme, highlighting that the country’s coastline is a national asset under threat:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity has prioritised achieving a secure and reliable water supply to sustain communities and support economic growth. Last week government convened the National Water and Sanitation indaba. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says the recommendations emanating from the Indaba give cause for great optimism. He says the crackdown on corruption and organised crime in the sector is being intensified, which includes the setting up of the National Water and Sanitation Anti-Corruption Forum in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit. 

# The Bloubergstrand Residents Association will appeal the decision by the City of Cape Town over the approval to build a boutique hotel on the beachfront. The association believes the move would set a dangerous precedent and motivate developers to acquire beachfront property in the village and then rezone the land for flats or hotels, which would be difficult to fight against in future. The association says demolishing the existing guesthouse and rezoning the property with a consent to a hotel will have a negative and disruptive impact on surrounding residents.

# Soccer: Manchester City have set up an FA Cup semifinal clash against Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium. City, who last won the trophy in 2023, booked their spot in the last four for the seventh consecutive year, after coming from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1. Forest reached their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991 by overcoming Brighton in a penalty shootout. The other semifinal will see Crystal Palace, who beat Fulham 3-0, take on Aston Villa, who saw off Championship side Preston North End 3-0.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-29-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-67-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-82-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-122-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

# And finally: President Ramaphosa has wished the Muslim community well as they celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The United Ulama Council of South Africa confirmed that the moon signaling the end of the blessed month of Ramadan was sighted in the country last night. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the president is urging everyone to continue to be guided by the common values that unite everybody, such as generosity, compassion and empathy:

Stay tuned for more news………….