News 14:00

BULLETIN 24 February 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Energy Council emphasises that load-shedding is a temporary setback
# A special cabinet meeting will be held today to address the budget deadlock
# And cricket: South Africa faces a brilliant Australia in the Champions Trophy tomorrow

# The Energy Council of South Africa says the sudden implementation of load-shedding is a temporary setback, citing electrical faults at Majuba and Camden power stations. The council says this is not a return to 2023’s crisis levels. Eskom has since restored several units and expects further recovery soon. The council emphasises that transparency and collaboration remain key to ending load-shedding as government and private sector investments continue to improve energy stability. It confirms major reforms expected this year, and the launch of a wholesale electricity market in 2026.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is convening a special cabinet meeting today to discuss the contentious budget. According to News24, Finance minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to present an alternative budget after disagreements within the government of national unity over the proposed two-percentage point VAT hike. The budget was postponed last week to 12 March due to the deadlock. The meeting aims to find a compromise amid concerns over revenue shortfalls and economic strain.

# The KwaZulu-Natal government will collaborate with various departments to assist flood-affected communities. Nine people have died, including a child in Vryheid, after heavy rains. The spokesperson for the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Senzelwe Mzila, says authorities continue relief efforts and mop-up operations, urging caution as rains persist. He says approximately three-billion-rand is needed to repair damaged infrastructure:

# Cricket: South Africa can expect a huge battle against Australia in tomorrow’s Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Proteas impressed when they beat Afghanistan comprehensively in their first match of the tournament on Friday, winning by 107 runs. But Australia rewrote the history books on Saturday, chasing down the huge target of 352 set by England in Lahore. The Baggy Green won by five wickets with 15 balls remaining thanks to Josh Inglis’s century and half-centuries by Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-695-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-942-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The ANC is deeply saddened by the passing of the daughter of national executive committee member Thandi Modise. Tsholofelo Mandisa Modise was born in prison during the apartheid era while her mother was incarcerated for her role in the liberation struggle as a member of uMkhonto we Sizwe. The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, says her birth symbolised the pain, sacrifice, and resilience of those who fought for freedom:

Stay tuned for more news………….