News 15:00

BULLETIN 18 June 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC chairperson warns against secret money in politics and calls for bold reforms
# The GOOD Party says it joined the government of national unity to advocate for justice
# And cricket: Shukri Conrad hails Ashwell Prince’s strength after the Proteas’ Test Championship triumph

# IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya says South Africa must urgently reform its political funding laws to prevent secret money and unfair advantage from undermining democracy. Speaking at the IEC’s first political funding symposium in Durban, Moepya warned that current rules may still benefit bigger parties. He urged Parliament to strengthen transparency, increase public funding, ensure fair access for smaller parties and independent candidates, and improve enforcement to safeguard free and open elections:

BACKLINK: This report was brought to you by the National Press Club.

# The GOOD Party says it joined the government of national unity not in pursuit of positions, but to advocate for social, economic, spatial, and environmental justice. The party says a year later, they reflect on the GNU with both pride and concern. GOOD secretary-general, Brett Herron, says they are proud of having kept the centre from collapsing. He adds there is concern as key elements of the GNU’s founding agreement remain unmet:

# Banks have financed up to 15.9-trillion-rand in fossil fuels in 2024, the hottest year on record, marking a sharp rise from 2023. According to the Banking on Climate Chaos report, which covers the world’s top 65 banks, fossil fuel financing has reached 126-trillion-rand since 2016’s Paris Agreement. JP Morgan Chase is the world’s largest fossil fuel financier. Critics say banks are abandoning climate pledges, with some withdrawing from net-zero alliances. Activists warn that only binding regulations can halt the trend.

# Cricket: Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad has thanked South Africans for their support after their historic ICC World Test Championship victory over Australia. Conrad became emotional when the team landed at the OR Tambo Airport in Gauteng this morning, recalling his late father who dreamed of seeing South Africa beat Australia. He also praised batting coach Ashwell Prince’s strength and commitment following the recent loss of his wife, calling it a testament to his selfless character and resilience:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-11-cents and the euro at 20-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-35-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-399-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-383-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-41-cents a barrel

# And finally: Music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton, actor and producer Tom Cruise, choreographer and actor Debbie Allen, and production designer Wynn Thomas will receive honorary Oscars at the Governors Awards in November. Parton will be recognised with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, while Cruise, Allen and Thomas will receive the Honorary Award. Academy president, Janet Yang, says these four legends’ extraordinary careers and commitment to the filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact.

Stay tuned for more news………….