News 13:00

BULLETIN 15 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Defence Ministry confirms the SANDF chief’s trip to Iran was approved
# The Gauteng Transport MEC urges minibus taxi and e-hailing associations to resolve their disputes
# And rugby: A late change to the Bok team as Boan Venter comes onto the bench for Jan-Hendrik Wessels 

# The Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans says South African National Defence Force chief Rudzani Maphwanya’s trip to Iran was authorised by minister Angie Motshekga. Maphwanya’s endorsement of Iran’s stance on Gaza drew criticism, with president Cyril Ramaphosa distancing himself. Spokesperson Onicca Kwakwa told Newzroom Afrika the visit stemmed from a 2016 military cooperation agreement on health, cybersecurity, and technology:

# Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, is urging the minibus taxi and e-hailing operator associations operating at Maponya Mall in Pimville, Soweto, to resolve disputes through platforms facilitated by the department. This follows a shooting incident on Wednesday night which claimed the life of an e-hailing driver and the torching of two vehicles at the mall. Diale-Tlabela says no grievance or commercial dispute justifies the taking of a life or putting innocent people at risk:

# The Public Servants Association says there is an urgent need for strict adherence to food-safety protocols, regular inspections, and monitoring of food preparation and storage conditions in Eastern Cape schools. Over 150 learners from Gobisizwe Agricultural School in Mthatha were rushed to hospital on Wednesday after a suspected mass food poisoning incident. The PSA’s Thami Makuzeni says they are alarmed by the recurrence of such incidents, despite the provincial Department of Education’s directives on food safety in schools:

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has been forced to make a late change to his team that will face Australia in their Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Ellis Park tomorrow. This is due to the withdrawal of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who suffered a niggle at training on Wednesday which has ruled him out of the match. Prop Boan Venter will provide front-row cover off the bench. He will partner up with Bongi Mbonambi and Asenathi Ntlabakanye as the back-up front row.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-55-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-117-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-344-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Renowned jazz icons Jonathan Butler and Themba Mkhize will receive this year’s Mzantsi Jazz Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients of the award include Abigail Kubeka, Jonas Gwangwa, Letta Mbulu, and Dorothy Masuka. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter/guitarist Butler received an honorary doctorate from Stellenbosch University in March. Mkhize is a revered pianist and composer who has been part of renowned jazz collectives such as Sakhile and Bayete. The ninth edition of the Mzantsi Jazz Awards will be held at the University of Johannesburg on the 30th of this month. 

Stay tuned for more news………….