News 16:00

BULLETIN 11 September 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The death toll rises to five after a taxi crashes into a crèche in Pietermaritzburg
# South Africa targets sports tourism to boost visitor numbers
# And a Cape Town restaurant serves a first of its kind menu inspired by a Spotify playlist 

# The death toll has risen to five after a taxi crashed into a crèche in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg, this morning. More than ten children were injured. The driver of the taxi, carrying learners from several local schools, lost control on a bend before colliding with a tree and rolling onto the school. The provincial Department of Education’s spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, says psycho-social support has been arranged for families, schools, and the community:

# Employment and Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth says justice has prevailed in the fight against human trafficking after seven Chinese nationals were sentenced to 20-years in prison for trafficking, child labour, and labour law violations. The case involved an illegal Johannesburg factory where 91 Malawian workers, including children, faced inhumane conditions from 2017 to 2019. Ministry spokesperson Thobeka Magcai says the sentences send a strong message that exploitation will not be tolerated:

Moving abroad: 

# British prime minister Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US following mounting scrutiny over his relationship with late US child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Foreign Office says the decision was made in light of additional information in emails by Mandelson. They show the depth and extent of his relationship with Epstein was materially different to what was known when he was appointed. Mandelson served as a key link between Starmer and US president Donald Trump during a crucial time for diplomacy between the countries.

On to sports news:

# The Department of Tourism aims to diversify attractions, including sports tourism. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the first Tourism Investment Summit, Tourism minister Patricia de Lille told SABC News that partnerships with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture will leverage events like LIV Golf in March next year and the 2027 Cricket World Cup to market South Africa as a top destination:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-52-cents and the euro at 20-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-255-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-625-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Cape Town’s Wiggle Room restaurant has launched a first-of-its-kind dining concept where its Spotify playlists shape the menu. According to the Good Things Guy, every two to three days, the 12-seat venue transforms one night, serving prawn toast that looks like album art, the next a cured dish echoing smooth jazz. Chef Ishmael Amos says diners don’t just eat, they connect and discover, as the playlist dictates both mood and menu, making each experience a blend of music and food.

Stay tuned for more news………….