News 13:00

BULLETIN 30 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC thanks all voters for a strong vote of confidence in democracy 
# Solidarity accuses the Department of Social Development of racial prejudice in subsidy payments
# And cricket: The Proteas hope their IPL players will make a big impact at the T20 World Cup

# The ANC has extended its gratitude to each and every South African for coming out in their numbers to exercise their much fought for democratic right to vote. Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says the high turnout confirms the confidence of the South African people in democracy and determination to have a say in the country’s future. Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says the party looks forward to a clear mandate from voters to continue the work of transforming South Africa and building a better life for all.

Meanwhile, preliminary results from the Electoral Commission a short while ago showed the ANC was leading with 42.92-percent. The DA followed with 25.1-percent while the EFF was on 8.68-percent. The MK Party and the Patriotic Alliance are among the top five nationally, with 8.18- and 4.23-percent respectively.

# Trade union Solidarity has accused the Department of Social Development of racial prejudice in subsidy payments to welfare organisations. They condemn the non-payment of funds and demand urgent action to address the crisis, particularly in Gauteng. The union received complaints from organisations that were promised subsidies last week but have not been paid. Solidarity’s Bianca Smit warns that the impact of unpaid subsidies extends beyond welfare organisations, affecting efforts to improve society:

# Cricket: The Proteas will start their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in New York on Monday. South Africa concluded their preparations by going down three-nil in a T20 series against the Windies. The Proteas will however welcome back several players who took part in the Indian Premier League, like Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen. Coach Rob Walter hopes these players will make a big impact:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-56-cents and the euro at 20-rand-8-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-645-dollars-26-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-336-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-25-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Caravaggio’s last painting, The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, is attracting record crowds at The National Gallery in London as part of its 200th-anniversary celebrations. The painting stands as the last self-portrait of the artist; the crop-haired figure behind the martyr, of grim, deathly pallor who looks into the void, though his facial disfigurement is hidden. Curator Francesca Whitlum-Cooper says Caravaggio makes his Martyrdom of Saint Ursula very intimate, very brutal, and very personal in a way that most other artists didn’t at the time.

Stay tuned for more news………….