News 13:00

BULLETIN 12 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is entering a new era of economic investment
# Eskom improves the environmental performance of its coal fleet
# And motorsport: Antonelli tops the second practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is undergoing major economic transformation, with wide-ranging reforms in the energy, telecommunications, logistics and water sectors. Speaking at the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable during the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, Ramaphosa said the country had moved beyond more than a decade of electricity shortages and was entering a new era of investment and competition. He highlighted the reforms as opportunities to attract investment, improve infrastructure and strengthen South Africa’s economic growth:

# Government says it has assisted with the repatriation of Zimbabwean migrants who gathered at the Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg. Deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi says 194 Zimbabwean nationals — 35 adult males, 58 adult females and 101 minors — were processed and have departed for Zimbabwe. Baloyi says, in a separate process, 56 Nigerian nationals — 18 adult males, 17 adult females and 21 minors — were processed with assistance from the Nigerian Embassy:

# Eskom has achieved significant environmental improvements through targeted emissions-reduction projects and focused operational interventions across its coal-fired fleet in the 2026/2027 financial year. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says relative particulate matter emissions have improved by approximately 67-percent. She added this improvement reflects sustained progress in lowering emissions while maintaining stronger plant reliability and availability:

# Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure is calling on the minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson to clarify the proposal for the redevelopment of the Telkom Towers complex in Pretoria through a public-private partnership model. Macpherson announced that the Telkom Towers will be developed at a cost of between 1.8-billion and 2.2-billion-rand. The committee Chairperson, Carol Phiri is deeply concerned that the Minister knows there were certain irregularities in the procurement of the Telkom Towers complex

Moving abroad:

# The Philippine Coast Guard says it has recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage of a ferry that caught fire this week, bringing the total death toll to 35. More than 130 people were on board the MV June Aster when the blaze erupted on Wednesday as it neared its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron, after departing from Manila. Forty-three people were rescued, with many receiving treatment in hospital, and searches continue for more than 50 people who remain unaccounted for.

# And, motorsport: Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has conquered Madrid’s tricky new street circuit, topping the second practice timesheets ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Antonelli’s blistering pace layout highlighted a chaotic session on the freshly laid surface. Championship leader Max Verstappen struggled heavily for grip, warning the unforgiving barriers make this tight venue a potential “car killer.” The session was red-flagged after Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad crashed heavily at turn thirteen. Meanwhile, George Russell raised serious concerns over severe, unexpected tyre wear ahead of today’s vital qualifying rounds.

Stay tuned for more news………….