News 15:00

BULLETIN 9 December 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA calls for stronger Parliamentary oversight and legislative transparency
# BOSA challenges government to adopt new ideas at the second National Dialogue
# And soccer: Fifa will vote for the hosts of the 2030 and ’34 World Cups on Wednesday

# The DA is calling for enhanced Parliamentary oversight and greater legislative transparency following its transition into the government of national unity. With increased influence in Parliament, the party is focused on holding the executive accountable and addressing key national issues like the water crisis and electricity price hikes. Addressing the media, the DA’s George Michalakis says their goal is to ensure the government is transparent and answers to the public:

On World Anti-Corruption Day Build One South Africa meanwhile says government has become synonymous with corruption. Government’s second National Dialogue on building a corruption-free South Africa is taking place tomorrow. BOSA’s spokesperson, Roger Solomons, says government must consider reducing the number of ministries to ten super ministries, to attract the brightest talent, focus on delivering results, launch a national recruitment drive and incentive-based schemes, to reward excellence and attract skilled professionals:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has expressed concern at the continued misuse of public funds. In the latest incident, Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has initiated an investigation into minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, amid serious allegations of misuse of public funds during his recent trip to the Olympics in Paris, France. Outa’s Stefanie Fick says greater accountability is needed to combat corruption effectively.

# The South African Revenue Service and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa are working to reduce dependence on Eskom by installing solar power systems at various facilities. SARS aims to meet 40-percent of its energy needs from renewable sources, while Prasa seeks to commercialise solar installations to mitigate the impact of load shedding and reduce energy costs. News24 reports that both projects align with broader efforts by the public sector, to expand solar energy use and sustainability.

# Soccer: It should be a mere formality to decide on the host nations for the 2030 and ’34 World Cups when governing body Fifa votes on the issue on Wednesday. Only one bid had been received for each of the tournaments – a joint bid by six countries over three continents for 2030, and Saudi Arabia for the next one. The 2030 showpiece could see matches being played in Spain and Portugal in Europe, Morocco in Africa, and Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay in South America.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-81-cents and the euro at 18-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-370-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-657-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….