News 16:00

BULLETIN 29 July 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The clock is ticking for voter registration ahead of the local government elections
# Twenty-one learners are injured in a learner transport crash in Ekurhuleni
# And rugby: Ackermann is relishing the Bulls’ clash against the All Blacks 

# The Electoral Commission is ready for Saturday and Sunday’s final special voter registration weekend ahead of the local government elections on 4 November. More than 23-thousand-600 voting stations and over 48-thousand officials will be deployed to assist eligible voters to register, update their details or verify their information. Chief electoral official Sy Mamabolo urges South Africans to register where they live to ensure they can vote in their correct wards:

# Twenty-one primary school learners were injured when a learner transport vehicle collided with a light motor vehicle on the M7 near Katlehong, Gauteng, this morning. Emergency crews treated all occupants at the scene before they were taken to nearby hospitals. Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntladi says four learners sustained serious injuries but are in stable condition. He says two learners waiting for transport were also struck and injured:

Moving abroad:

# The world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic after global funding for HIV programmes fell by 18-percent last year, marking the lowest level in nearly two decades. This is according to a report by the United Nations’ AIDS Programme, released at the opening of the international AIDS conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The organisation says international HIV funding dropped to 121.97-billion-rand in 2025 from 147.03 billion-rand a year earlier, warning the decline could derail efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

# Rugby: Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says their clash against the All Blacks will provide the perfect test as they continue their build-up to the season. New Zealand will launch their Greatest Rivalry Tour against the Stormers in Cape Town next Friday before taking on the Bulls in Pretoria on August 15. Ackermann says the fixture demands juggling 2026-2027 United Rugby Championship preparations, and ensuring they are ready for the All Blacks, has been tough. He adds that the match will be a priceless experience, particularly for the younger players in the squad.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-77-cents and the euro at 19-rand-8-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-263-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-20-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African National Defence Force will officially appoint Lieutenant General Thembelani Xundu as its new chief of staff during a change of office ceremony on Friday. The event marks the formal handover of duties following the retirement of Lieutenant General Michael Ramantswana. Xundu assumes a key leadership role responsible for strategic coordination and administrative oversight within the SANDF. Senior military leaders and government officials are expected to attend the ceremony.

Stay tuned for more news………….