News 16:00

BULLETIN 6 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA plays down Geordin Hill-Lewis’s leadership speculation
# Minister Macpherson hands over the refurbished dome to speaker Thoko Didiza
# And rugby: England enters as favourites in the Six Nations clash against Wales

# The DA’s federal leadership has declined to speculate on whether Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will succeed John Steenhuisen as party leader in April. Hill-Lewis confirmed he has been approached by party members but says he will announce his decision later this month, adding he remains committed to a second mayoral term. As the DA launches its local election campaign with eight mayoral candidates, federal chairperson Ivan Meyer praised Hill-Lewis’ leadership, saying he will speak for himself in due course.

# Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson officially handed over the refurbished Nieuwmeester Dome to National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza in Cape Town. It will serve as a temporary parliamentary chamber while the National Assembly is being rebuilt following the 2022 fire. Didiza highlighted the importance of maintaining parliamentary operations and preserving legislative heritage. MacPherson says the upgrade ensures functional, safe facilities for Members of Parliament and staff:

# Learner transport operators in Potchefstroom, North West, are furious after a transport enforcement blitz. Transport minister Barbara Creecy warns that illegal vehicles will be impounded, regardless of circumstances. She confirmed nearly 300 vehicles have been seized nationwide as part of ongoing law enforcement interventions aimed at regulating the sector and ensuring safe, legal transport for learners:

# Rugby: The odds are heavily in favour of England in tomorrow’s first round Six Nations clash against Wales. England is ranked third in the world and carries an 11-match winning streak into the competition. Wales, meanwhile, has struggled significantly, losing 21 of their last 23 Tests. Historically, England has dominated this fixture at Twickenham where Wales has not secured a Six Nations victory since 2012. Under new defensive coach Steve Tandy, Wales welcomes back Louis Rees-Zammit at full-back, but is missing key skipper Jac Morgan due to injury.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-4-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-94-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-308-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-879-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event at Groot Constantia in Cape Town celebrated South Africa’s 367-year wine heritage and the start of the new grape harvest season. The event honoured five industry leaders: the Retief family, Denzel Swarts, Pieter Ferreira, Charl Theron, and Wilfred Fortuin. Attendees toasted the fresh harvest, reflecting the vibrancy of South Africa’s vineyards. Organisers and partners, including Standard Bank and the Western Cape government, praised the sector’s innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, and contribution to the economy and cultural identity.

Stay tuned for more news………….