News 15:00

BULLETIN 10 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA asks Parliament for a personal explanation from minister Thembi Simelane on the VBS loan scandal
# Tennis: Rafael Nadal confirms his retirement at the end of the season
# And Old Righteous Blues is chosen as South Africa’s Oscars entry

# Build One South Africa has requested that Parliament’s Rules Committee instruct Justice minister Thembi Simelane to deliver a personal explanation regarding her loan agreement implicated in the VBS corruption scandal. Spokesperson Roger Solomons emphasised the need for full disclosure and accountability, citing potential violations of key legislation and parliamentary ethics. He says this raises concerns about transparency and integrity:

# Cabinet has commended the positive investor sentiment resulting from president Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the United States and deputy president Paul Mashatile’s visit to the United Kingdom. During these trips, both leaders promoted South Africa as a prime investment destination, with Ramaphosa addressing the New York Stock Exchange. Briefing the media, minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says government’s focus on economic growth, and job creation, is ongoing to attract more investment: 

# Insect-based animal-feed solutions producer Maltento is expanding into the UK and European Union markets. The Cape Town-based company has increased its production capacity and achieved EU export certification three years ago. Maltento plans to supply high-protein ingredients to wild bird feed suppliers and pet food companies across these regions. CEO Dean Smorenburg highlights this expansion as a significant milestone for the company. Maltento utilises black soldier fly larvae, which contain 45-percent protein and 27-percent fat, using spent brewers grain as feed for its insects.

# Tennis: Rafael Nadal has confirmed this season will be the final one of his illustrious career. The 38-year-old Spaniard still plans to represent his country at next month’s Davis Cup Finals in Málaga. The 22-time Grand Slam champion slid down the world rankings since repeated injuries kept him on the sidelines for most of the time since the beginning of last year. The King of Clay is most famous for his 14 titles at Roland Garros, and he also won Olympic gold in 2008 and in 2016.  

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-56-cents and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-122-dollars-30-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-616-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The National Film and Video Foundation has selected Old Righteous Blues to represent South Africa in the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Muneera Sallies, the film tells a story of community, redemption, and overcoming past conflicts. The foundation says the decision was made by the South African Academy Awards Selection Committee after an extensive judging process. It has praised the film’s powerful narrative and the talent of the South African film industry.

Stay tuned for more news………….