News 13:00

BULLETIN 17 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Motsoaledi denies Home Affairs is destroying tourism
# AZAPO condemns the vandalising of its campaign billboard in Johannesburg
# And, tennis: Alcaraz to face Medvedev in the Indian Wells final

# Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the department is not destroying the South African tourism sector. Motsoaledi briefed the media on issues pertaining to immigration and visas which have been in the public space recently. The minister says the department is being accused of chasing tourists out of South Africa, but he had an opportunity to discuss this with Tourism minister Patricia de Lille:

# Basic Education minister Angie Motshekga is calling on the Department of Higher Education and Training, in collaboration with Higher Education institutions, to refine their enrolment planning. Motshekga was closing the Basic Education Lekgotla in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. This to ensure the output of graduates matches the demand for specialised teaching skills, particularly for foundation phase educators competent in mother tongue instruction:

# The Azanian People’s Organisation has condemned the vandalising of its campaign billboard in Braamfontein Johannesburg. AZAPO spokesperson, Jabu Rakwena, says they suspect it is part of the intolerance being demonstrated by political parties who want to establish a hegemony over certain areas and refuse to allow space for other parties to operate:

# Sixteen Nigerian soldiers have been killed on a mission to halt clashes between two communities in the southern state of Delta. An army spokesperson says the troops, deployed in the Bomadi region, had responded to the conflict in the Okuoma community when they were killed. Aljazeera reports there are frequent clashes, sometimes deadly, over land or compensation for oil spills by energy companies in many Delta state communities.

# And, tennis: Carlos Alcaraz has rallied from a set down after a three-hour rain delay to end Jannik Sinner’s 19-match winning streak and clinch a spot in the final at Indian Wells. The Spaniard defeated the Italian player 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 and retained his world number two ranking with the victory. Alcaraz extended his own winning streak to eleven matches at Indian Wells. He will meet Russia’s Daniil Medvedev who beat American Tommy Paul 1-6, 7-6, 6-2 in the other semi-final.

Stay tuned for more news………….