News 14:00

BULLETIN 11 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The organisers promise a cost-conscious approach for the national dialogue events
# The Green Connection says nuclear power is expensive and carries significant risks
# And rugby: Siya Kolisi leads the Boks against the Wallabies in the number 8 jersey

# The organisers of the national dialogue say they are keeping costs low for the first national convention, with venues, transport, and services provided by the University of South Africa in Pretoria and other partners at no cost. The National Economic Development and Labour Council and the Presidency’s budgets cover the event’s main expenses. The convention’s spokesperson, Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu, says the approach aims to reduce the burden on the fiscus and ensure broad participation:

# Sakeliga has warned it will seek personal cost orders against president Cyril Ramaphosa and his ministers if they fail to act on Ditsobotla Municipality in North West’s collapse. CEO Piet le Roux says the national executive ignored constitutional duties despite pleas from MEC for Cooperative Governance, Oageng Molapisi. Essential services like water and electricity have collapsed. Le Roux says Ramaphosa has until Friday to intervene or face punitive court action:

# Green Connection has expressed concern about the affordability of nuclear power, particularly the high upfront capital costs, the risk of construction delays, and the cost overruns that have been experienced worldwide. This comes as Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister, Dion George, has upheld the 2017 decision to grant Eskom environmental authorisation to build and operate a new four-gigawatt nuclear power station in Duynefontein in the Western Cape. Green Connection’s Liziwe McDaid says the government’s strange fascination with nuclear power is concerning:

# Rugby: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will play in the number eight jersey in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. This will be the first time he leads the team from the back of the scrum. Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback, André Esterhyuizen at inside centre and Manie Libbok at flyhalf. Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager partner in the second row. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus expects a challenging test against Australia, who beat the British and Irish Lions recently.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-71-cents and the euro at 20-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-330-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-363-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

# And finally: India’s Supreme Court has ordered the removal of tens of thousands of stray dogs from the capital of Delhi, citing public safety concerns after a surge in dog bites. According to the Livestock Census of 2012, the most recent data available, at least 60-thousand stray dogs lived on the streets of Delhi. Some suggest that number to be now far higher, with large rival dog packs patrolling parks and residential neighbourhoods. City authorities must set up dog shelters within eight weeks, and maintain daily records of the canines captured.

Stay tuned for more news………….