News 16:00

BULLETIN 19 March 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA accuses Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi of neglecting the province’s health crisis amid ongoing corruption
# Tencent’s profits surged 90-percent in the fourth quarter of last year
# And rugby: The Bulls won’t underestimate Leinster even if they field an inexperienced team

# The DA says Gauteng’s health budget, which increased by only 3.7-percent, fails to address critical issues such as the four-billion-rand in unpaid debt, vacant positions, and deteriorating hospital conditions. The party’s Jack Bloom argues that the loss of USaid relief money has created a funding gap, accusing the provincial government of reallocating funds meant for health. Bloom urges premier Panyaza Lesufi to take urgent action to address the province’s health problems:

# Build One South Africa says political appointments in government should be outlawed to protect citizens from incompetent leadership. BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster argues the Public Service Commission Bill doesn’t do enough to prevent cadre deployment. She believes ending political appointments is key to improving service delivery, and is calling on the government to close loopholes that could undermine progress:

# Chinese internet and gaming giant Tencent announced that profits in the fourth quarter of 2024 surged 90-percent as the firm accelerates a push into artificial intelligence. The publication of quarterly and annual results for Shenzhen-based Tencent comes after weeks of robust investor confidence in Chinese tech, and in A-I in particular. Tencent’s stock price soared to its highest level in nearly four years as Chinese tech firms ride a wave of investor confidence. South African multinational Naspers has an investment in Tencent through its subsidiary, Prosus.

# Rugby: The Bulls won’t underestimate Leinster in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match at Loftus despite the possibility of the visitors fielding an inexperienced team. The Irish club, who currently tops the log, didn’t reveal their touring party after 16 of their players featured for Ireland in last weekend’s Six Nations match against Italy. Bulls loose forward Nizaam Carr says they are preparing as if they are facing Ireland, because whoever they’re playing, a team coached by former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber should always be respected.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-12-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-52-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-814-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-and-39-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

# And finally: City of Cape Town firefighters will once again participate in the Two Oceans half marathon to raise much-needed funds for the Volunteer Wildfire Services. The firefighters will be led by Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan, and joined by former Springbok hooker James Dalton for the 21.1-kilometre run. Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says Volunteer Wildfire Services is one of the organisations involved in protecting Cape Town from devastating wildfires:

Stay tuned for more news………….