News 15:00

BULLETIN 26 April 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom is to maintain Stage 2 load-shedding at most for the winter
# The DA says it still opposes the Bela Bill despite the latest amendments
# And Rugby: Milestones for three Stormers players as they face Leinster

# Eskom has announces a maintenance of Stage 2 load-shedding if needed during winter. This is with a decline in frequency attributed to improved generation plant performance. CEO Dan Marokane highlighted the intensified winter outlook due to plant performance. Marokane says the return of Kusile units ahead of schedule and recovery of unplanned load losses further aid in reducing load-shedding intensity. He says that Eskom targets a further 1.7-gigawatts through reduced losses and demand initiatives:

# The DA says despite some welcome amendments, it still maintains its steadfast opposition to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill. The National Council of Provinces’ select committee of Education, Technology, Sports Arts and Culture, adopted the latest version of the Bela Bill, which has broadened the definition of corporal punishment. The DA’s Delmaine Christians says they are still concerned about the potential impact of the bill on schools and communities:

# A fire erupted at the living quarters of Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Pretoria yesterday. Firefighters responded to find four units of a roughly 150-meter-long structure engulfed, commencing firefighting operations immediately. Four female patients, treated for smoke inhalation, were stable after being taken to nearby hospitals. Spokesperson Charles Mabaso says he cause of the fire remains under investigation:

# The Tanzanian government has announced the temporary shutdown of five hydro-electric facilities to address an overloaded power grid. This historic decision comes as a response to the overflow caused by the newly launched Julius Nyerere Hydro power project. Prime minister, Kassim Majaliwa, underscores the necessity of innovative strategies to harness the water resources of Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric stations for community benefit.

# Rugby: Prop Brok Harris will become the first player to reach 150 appearances for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship encounter with Leinster in Cape Town tomorrow. Loose forwards Evan Roos and Marcel Theunissen will both play in their 50th matches. There are just two changes to the backline, with Damian Willemse alongside Dan du Plessis in midfield and Herschel Jantjies in at scrumhalf. Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson is expecting an epic duel with both teams looking to bounce back from defeat last week and the play-offs fast approaching.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-85-cents and the euro at 20-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-172-dollars-36-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-347-dollars-14-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 88-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….