News 16:00

BULLETIN 29 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC reports delays at some stations due to material deliveries and protests
# Minister Godongwana assures that the NHI will undergo testing before implementation
# And, the Turkish premier hits out at the United Nations over the latest Israeli strikes in Gaza

# The Electoral Commission has reported delays at some voting stations due to late delivery of material, delayed escorts by security services, and protests by community members. Despite these issues, 93-percent of voting stations opened on time, with the remaining stations following shortly after. Deputy chief electoral officer Masego Sheburi assures voters all necessary material is available and urges patience:

Earlier, EFF leader Julius Malema expressed confidence that South Africa’s elections will be free and fair. Voting in Seshego, Limpopo, Malema commended the Electoral Commission’s preparations. He called on voters, especially the youth and first-time participants, to vote for change, against corruption and crime, for job creation and a government that delivers:

# Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has assured that the National Health Insurance will undergo testing before implementation. He dismissed concerns about its cost, stating that the government will ensure all systems are in place beforehand. He said the purchasing and contracting of services for the NHI will be based on insights from its pilot project outcomes:

# Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out at the United Nations and called on the Islamic world to react after the latest deadly Israeli strikes in Gaza. He told supporters the United Nations cannot even protect its own staff and the spirit of the UN is dead in Gaza. The Turkish leader also hit out at fellow Muslim-majority countries for failing to take common action over the Israeli strike.

# Cricket: A young Afghan side with an average age of just 25 have vowed to excite audiences back home at the 2024 T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States and West Indies. Despite decades of war and poverty, Afghan cricket has strengthened, with new academies, sponsorship deals and tournament financing. Their first match is on June 4 in Guyana against Uganda, who are playing in their first ever Twenty20 World Cup, which they describe as a dream come true.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-33-cents and the euro at 19-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-37-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-875-dollars-67-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-340-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….