News 13:00

BULLETIN 15 April 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Activists and Citizens Forum rejects Roelf Meyer’s appointment as new ambassador to America
# Julius Malema’s defence argues for leniency in his sentencing
# And a Cape Town swimmer makes history with a quadruple Robben Island crossing

# Activists and Citizens Forum has strongly criticised the appointment of Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s new ambassador to the United States, calling it an insult to freedom fighters. Spokesperson Dennis Bloem says president Cyril Ramaphosa is undermining the legacy of the struggle against apartheid by appointing a political figure linked to the previous regime. He says many qualified South Africans were overlooked, and urged citizens to oppose the decision:

# EFF leader Julius Malema’s lawyer, Laurence Hodes, requested the East London Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape for a lenient sentence, including alternatives to imprisonment for his client. Malema’s pre-sentencing proceedings began this morning after he was found guilty of various offences, including discharging a firearm in a built-up area during a 2018 rally in Mdantsane. Hodes argued the firearm was used briefly for celebratory purposes with no intent to harm:

Moving abroad:

# US vice president JD Vance has stressed the importance of maintaining the two-week US–Iranian ceasefire, calling it key to preventing further escalation. The second round of peace talks is set to resume in Islamabad, Pakistan, in the next few days, while the ceasefire ends next Wednesday. Vance told a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, president Donald Trump is not looking for a small deal, but a grand one:

# Swimming: Cape Town endurance swimmer Karen Kennedy has made history by completing a quadruple Robben Island crossing in the icy Atlantic waters from Blouberg Strand, covering nearly 30-kilometres in just over ten-hours. The nearly 60-year-old completed the swim without a wetsuit and is now awaiting Guinness World Records ratification as the first and fastest female to achieve the challenge. Kennedy says the swim was aimed at inspiring women, especially those over 50-years, to pursue their dreams, as dreams do not have an expiration date.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-34-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-82-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-802-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The 4360 International Comedy Festival is taking over Durban this week with three major events across the city. The programme begins with a free street comedy competition at the Workshop Amphitheatre, followed by a warm-up show on Florida Road, and concludes on Friday with the main international showcase at the Bat Centre. Hosted by comedian Thenjiwe Moseley, the festival will bring together local and international acts in a celebration of African comedy and global talent.

Stay tuned for more news………….