News 13:00

BULLETIN 24 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC says the struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity transcends borders
# The DA in the Western Cape says prisons have been transformed into hubs for organised crime
# And Olympic Games: Minister Gayton McKenzie congratulates Kirsty Coventry on her IOC presidency

# The ANC has welcomed the unwavering solidarity demonstrated by progressive members of Parliament from across the world, united under the banner of Progressive International. More than 100 members of Parliament and legislative bodies globally have endorsed South Africa’s independence and have urged US president  Donald Trump to revoke his February 7 executive order suspending all aid to South Africa. The ANC says the group’s collective stance reaffirms the enduring power of international solidarity and is a reminder that the struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity transcends borders.

# The DA in the Western Cape says instead of acting as secure rehabilitation centres, prisons in the province have effectively become command centres for gang violence and extortion. The Inspecting Judge of Prisons, Judge Edwin Cameron, recently questioned whether the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services does enough to change the conditions in correctional facilities. The DA’s Nicholas Gotsell says the Department of Correctional Services’ failure to fill critical funded posts, has left correctional facilities under-resourced:

# Africa’s solar power sector is set for major growth in 2025, with new installations projected to rise by 42-percent. The Global Solar Council says despite a slowdown in South Africa, West Africa is seeing rapid expansion, with Ghana nearly quadrupling its capacity to 94-megaWatts. However, high capital costs remain a challenge. Analysts say US policy changes won’t derail Africa’s climate projects, but lower financing costs are key to unlocking the continent’s solar potential.

# Olympic Games: Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has congratulated Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry on becoming the first African and first woman elected as International Olympic Committee president. McKenzie praised outgoing president Thomas Bach of Germany, and expressed hope for Africa’s future in global sports. He highlighted South Africa’s plans to host the 2036 Olympics, emphasising the need to end sports apartheid and ensure Africa’s inclusion in major sporting events.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-243-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-and-30-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Gauteng provincial legislature’s Health and Wellness committee has reaffirmed its commitment to keeping tuberculosis a top priority in its oversight work. Today is World TB Day, amplifying the urgency of ending the world’s deadliest infectious disease. According to the World Health Organisation, TB claims over 1.5-million people per year. Committee chairperson, Ezra Letsoalo, says a collective effort from all sectors, including communities, is required to eliminate TB and improve public health outcomes:

Stay tuned for more news………….