News 14:00

BULLETIN 23 May 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# RISE Mzansi says the ANC, DA, EFF, and ActionSA have failed South Africans 
# The DA says there will be another Esidimeni if mental health subsidies are not paid 
# And rugby: Manie Libbok signs an extension with the Stormers untill 2027

# RISE Mzansi says the political establishment of the ANC, DA, EFF, ActionSA and others have failed South Africans through populism and rhetoric. The party says it has provided a megaphone for communities whose voices have been silenced by the political establishment. RISE Mzansi’s spokesperson, Gugu Ndima, says the party will not back down from pointing out the divisions of South Africa, while it put forward new leaders and plans to build a safe, prosperous, equal and united South Africa for all:

Meanwhile, Africa Check has introduced an Election Information Hub on its website, featuring fact-check reports, analyses, factsheets, and A-I-generated videos. Created by digital marketing agency Rogerwilco, the hub aims to provide accurate information to South African voters. Executive director Noko Makgato highlights the appeal of video content, especially for young voters. The A-I host, Zanele, debunks false claims and validates accurate ones. The hub covers claims by the ANC, DA, and the EFF, and reviews unmet ANC promises from 2019.

# The DA in Gauteng says another Life Esidimeni tragedy looms as nongovernmental organisations struggle to look after hundreds of mental health patients. The provincial Department of Health has not paid subsidies to them for two months. This follows the failure of the Social Development Department to pay NGOs as well. The DA’s Jack Bloom says it is scandalous that payment delays happen often to organisations that look after the most vulnerable people in Gauteng:

# Thousands of Iranians marched in Birjand to bid farewell to president Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi died alongside Foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others in a helicopter crash in the mountainous northwest while returning from a dam inauguration. Raisi was buried at the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashad today. He is the first top politician in the country to be buried at the shrine, representing a significant honour. Meanwhile, Amirabdollahian has also been laid to rest today.

# Rugby: World Cup winner Manie Libbok has signed a three-year contract extension with the Stormers. The talented playmaker has made a big impression in the number 10 jersey over the last three years and will continue to pull the strings for the team. He joins teammates Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Dan du Plessis, Ruben van Heerden and Evan Roos, who have also committed to stay in Cape Town until 2027. Director of rugby John Dobson says having Libbok in the squad for another three years is a huge boost.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-41-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-706-dollars-96-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-366-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….