News 12:00

BULLETIN 23 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile reiterates South Africa’s non-alignment stance amid the Middle East war
# Some Johannesburg Water systems remain constrained due to the high demand
# And golf: The LIV Golf CEO says making the decision to return to South Africa in 2027 was a no-brainer

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s posture remains of being non-aligned, in the interests of promoting a multipolar world order and defending national interests. He addressed the annual NEDLAC Organised Labour School in Pretoria. Mashatile stated that South Africa will continue to stand for peace in the Middle East and other parts of the world. He added that the country is committed to silencing the guns in Africa and promoting peace and cooperation globally:

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency chief, Fatih Birol, has warned that the war in the Middle East could see the world face its worst energy crisis in decades. He has compared the current energy crisis to those of the 1970s, when the world lost about ten million barrels of oil per day. Birol says the single most important solution to this problem is opening up the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this month, the agency agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles to ease the global markets.

# Johannesburg Water says the overall systems are mostly stable, with supply ranging from fair to adequate. However, some systems, such as Commando, Soweto and Deep South, remain constrained due to high water demand. Johannesburg Water spokesperson, Pheladi Ramatshila, says while reservoir levels range from stable to improving, some supply zones are still below desired capacity, which continues to impact pressure in certain areas. She adds that regular schedules and unscheduled interventions remain in place across various systems to support recovery and maintain system resilience.

# London Metropolitan police have launched an investigation after four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer rescue organisation, Hatzola Northwest, were set on fire in Golders Green, north London, this morning. According to officials, multiple cylinders in the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats. Golders Green is known for its large Jewish and Orthodox Jewish community. Police say they are treating this incident as an antisemitic hate crime.

# Golf: LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil says the success of the inaugural LIV event in Africa this weekend has reaffirmed that South Africa is home to a vibrant golf culture, world-class talent, and fans whose passion elevates the game. American Bryson DeChambeau defeated Spain’s Jon Rahm in a playoff to win in front of a record crowd at Steyn City in Johannesburg on Sunday. O’Neil says deciding to bring LIV Golf back to South Africa in 2027 was a no-brainer:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-461-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-226-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 109-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….