News 16:00

BULLETIN 18 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Progressive Caucus unveils its charter for the seventh administration
# The EFF says more citizens are dependent on underfunded public healthcare facilities 
# And, Olympics: Big names return to Roland Garros for the tennis competition

# The Progressive Caucus, consisting of the MK Party, the EFF, ATM, and other smaller parties, has outlined its charter for the seventh Parliament. MK’s parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, told the media the aim is to strengthen South Africa’s democracy, holding government accountable for a corrupt-free society. He also emphasises fighting for free quality education, healthcare, housing, water, and sanitation:

The EFF meanwhile says healthcare facilities in the country are in shambles, with some running out of basic necessities such as syringe needles. The party’s Naledi Chirwa claims that around 85-percent of the population is dependent on underfunded public health facilities, where they are unlikely to receive medication. Chirwa says in the meantime, the remaining 15-percent, largely white people, have access to adequately performing private healthcare facilities:

# Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa will propose that the national government allocate disaster grants to municipalities for natural disaster response. This follows recent veld fires in KwaZulu-Natal that destroyed hundreds of homes and killed 14 people. The province lacks funds to address these disasters. Hlabisa plans to approach the National Treasury, advocating for a conditional grant specifically for disaster-related expenses. This proposal aims to ensure municipalities have the necessary resources to manage and mitigate the impact of natural disasters effectively.

# Olympics: Most of the big names will be at Roland Garros when the tennis competition kicks off in Paris next Saturday. The men’s doubles pairings include clay kingpins Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz for Spain, and world number one Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti for Italy. Among the women, Wimbledon and French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini and veteran Sara Errani will represent Italy, Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova will represent the Czech Republic, and Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will play for America.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-62-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-780-dollars-24-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-465-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

# And finally, in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day, Cape Town City Hall hosts a walk-through exhibition depicting his life, from youth to post-Robben Island. The exhibition also honors icons of South Africa’s journey from apartheid to democracy. City Hall, where Mandela gave his first post-prison speech, holds historical significance. The exhibition coincides with tonight’s opening of Parliament address. Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Museum in the Eastern Cape will renovate the church where Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela married, and refurbish a local Early Childhood Development Centre.

Stay tuned for more news………….