News 16:00

BULLETIN 7 April 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum accuses the SABC of alienating its Afrikaans audience by cancelling Saturday night’s news bulletin
# Paul Mashatile says no one’s home will be taken, but the focus is on large landowners
# And rugby: The Bulls will face Edinburgh in the quarterfinal of the Challenge Cup

# AfriForum has accused the SABC of showing a disregard for Afrikaans viewers after the Afrikaans TV news bulletin was missing on Saturday evening. They are demanding an explanation from the public broadcaster, as no reason has been given for the omission. AfriForum’s Alana Bailey warns that the SABC’s failure to cater to this loyal and financially strong audience could damage its reputation and revenue:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says government will not take people’s homes as part of land reform efforts. Speaking at the Ahmed Kathrada Legacy Business Breakfast in Gauteng, he said the focus will be on redistributing large tracts of land owned by a few individuals to ensure fairer land ownership. Mashatile stressed that land reform is aimed at addressing inequality, not targeting ordinary citizens, and will be done in a responsible and balanced manner:

# The South African Communist Party says the ANC has no right to stop it from contesting elections independently. General secretary Solly Mapaila insists the SACP will go ahead with its 2026 bid. The IEC cleared the party to run, despite an earlier deregistration notice. Backed by the National Union of Mineworkers, Mapaila says the SACP remains firm even as the ANC warns it could split the progressive vote:

# Rugby: The only South African team left in the Challenge Cup, the Bulls, will play Edinburgh in the quarterfinal in the Scottish capital on Saturday. The Bulls beat French side Bayonne 32-22 in this past Saturday’s round of 16 match, while the Scottish team eliminated the Sharks. The other quarterfinals will see French team Lyon take on Ospreys from Wales, Irish team Connacht play French giants Racing 92, and former Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan’s Bath take on fellow English team Gloucester.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-39-cents and the euro at 21-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-670-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-and-29-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South Africa’s Zip Zap Circus, a vibrant production inspired by the spirit of ubuntu, will light up New York’s New Victory Theatre from the 12th to the 26th of this month. MOYA features traditional gumboot and pantsula dance and seeks to shed a spotlight on talented young people who found purpose through circus arts. Zip Zap’s dynamic troupe will also headline the New Victory Family Benefit on the 27th of April. Circus CEO and co-founder, Laurence van Rensburg, has expressed gratitude and excitement for this opportunity.

Stay tuned for more news………….