News 12:00

BULLETIN 11 February 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa records a 16-percent drop in rhino poaching in 2025
# The strike action by Johannesburg Water employees has come to an end
# And rugby: Scotland’s Hollie Davidson is set to make Six Nations history on Saturday

# South Africa recorded a 16-percent decline in rhino poaching last year, marking a second consecutive annual drop. The Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Ministry says 352 rhinos were killed last year, down from 420 in 2024. However, killings in Kruger National Park rose sharply to 175 from 88. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal saw a significant improvement, with poaching falling to 63. Minister Willie Aucamp credits strengthened anti-poaching and anti-trafficking operations and improved coordination among law enforcement agencies for the decline.

# Johannesburg Water says the strike action led by workers affiliated to municipal workers union Samwu is over following constructive engagement. More than two-thousand workers downed tools last Friday over unpaid bonuses. Johannesburg Water’s spokesperson, Nondumiso Mabuza, says the unprotected strike action placed additional strain on its service delivery and operational stability:

Moving abroad: 

# Mozambican authorities have activated early disaster measures as tropical storm Gezani is expected to intensify into a cyclone in the Mozambique Channel. Sofala, Inhambane and Gaza provinces are on high alert, with flood risks in several river basins. Officials urge residents to secure homes, prepare emergency kits and follow evacuation guidance. An estimated one million people and key infrastructure could be affected. Since October, storms have claimed over 200 lives in the country.

# Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney has described the deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, as a horrible tragedy. Seven people were fatally wounded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while two other victims were found at a nearby residence. The shooter died from a self‑inflicted injury. The province’s minister of Public Safety, Nina Krieger, says they will deploy every resource to support the investigation:

# Rugby: Scotland’s Hollie Davidson says refereeing in the Six Nations is a massive honour. The 33-year-old is set to become the first female to take charge of a men’s Six Nations match on Saturday, when Ireland hosts Italy in Dublin. She already officiated 47 Tests – 34 women’s and 13 men’s – Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and two Women’s World Cups. Davidson hopes to inspire young girls and boys:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-87-cents and the euro at 18-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-930-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-53-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….