News 16:00

BULLETIN 2 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The last call for special vote applications
# The NUM threatens mass action over planned retrenchments in the gold sector 
# And rugby: The Baby Boks play to a 13-all draw against New Zealand 

# The Electoral Commission reminds voters the deadline to apply for special votes is tomorrow. Applications must be submitted online, via SMS, or at local IEC offices. Over a million special vote applications have been approved. Special voting will occur on 27 and 28 May from 9 AM to 5 PM. Chief electoral official Sy Mamabolo says no late applications will be accepted, urging voters to apply promptly to ensure they can participate in the special voting process:

Meanwhile, the DA has accused union federation Cosatu of betraying workers by aligning with the ANC and the South African Communist Party. It claims Cosatu’s alliance with these parties has led to policies that have hindered economic growth and job creation. The party has proposed its economic policies as an alternative to stimulate economic growth. Briefing the media outside Cosatu headquarters in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, DA leader John Steenhuisen urged voters to vote for change in the elections:

# The National Union of Mineworkers has threatened mass action against mining companies over planned retrenchments. NUM president, Dan Balepile, announced a march to Sibanye Stillwater to protest the proposed four-thousand job cuts in the gold sector. Several mining companies have issued retrenchment notices to employees, with other mine workers already laid off. The union also criticised companies for inadequate safety measures in place to avert fatalities during underground accidents.

# Rugby: The Junior Springboks played to a 13-all draw against New Zealand in the opening round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia. The junior All Blacks led 3-0 at halftime in very wet playing conditions, with pools of water all over the field. South Africa’s wing, Joel Leotlela, scored his team’s only try, while flyhalf Tylor Sefoor converted and also kicked two penalties. The Junior Boks play Australia at the same venue on Tuesday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-65-cents and the euro at 19-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-33-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-868-dollars-33-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-300-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

# And finally: In response to escalating debt servicing costs and the high cost of living, more South Africans are turning to collective buying to purchase homes. FNB has reported a 36-percent increase in loans disbursed for collective buying in the last six months, with up to 12 individuals able to buy a home together. Gauteng and the Western Cape lead in collective home buying, with affluent customers opting for this method for holiday and semigration properties. FNB’s Mfundo Mabaso noted this trend is particularly prevalent among affordable housing customers earning between three-thousand-500-rand and 29-thousand-600-rand per month.

Stay tuned for more news………….