News 16:00
BULLETIN 9 February 4 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# An economist says South Africa is having its worse economic performance
# FlySafair’s new Cape Town to Kruger route will boost the economy
# And Rugby: An American sports company wants to invest in the Springboks
# Stellenbosch Business School economist Nthabiseng Moleko has warned of South Africa’s dire economic state. Moleko spoke to Newzroom Afrika citing government inaction on commitments to address unemployment and economic challenges. Moleko urges the government to acknowledge the crisis and take decisive action to remedy the situation, emphasising the need to move beyond denial:
# Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency CEO, Mduduzi Vilakazi, has welcomed FlySafair’s launch of a direct route between Cape Town International Airport and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport just outside the Kruger National Park. The inaugural flight for this route is planned for the second of April, with tickets starting at one-thousand-851-rands. Vilakazi says this new route will boost the economy of the province and will make travelling between the two tourism hotspots more accessible:
# AfriForum Youth has launched a legal inquiry into the temporary suspension of a senior student at North-West University. The student in question, Shaun Christie, openly criticised the university’s orientation content, particularly LGBTQIA-plus discussions. He claims discussions on gender issues were allowed, but talks about Christianity were not. The youth organisation asserts this infringes upon freedom of expression and the right of students to voice dissenting opinions. Allegedly suspended for disrespectful behaviour, Christie now faces restrictions, including a campus ban and academic limitations:
# Rugby: The South African Rugby Union and America’s Ackerley Sports Group announced they are negotiating a partnership agreement to invest in SA rugby at all levels. The joint company will hold all current and future revenue-generating assets of the Springboks and SARU. Ackerley has owned a number of professional sports franchises, including the Seattle SuperSonics, the Seattle Seawolves, the Coachella Firebirds and most recently the launch of NHL franchise Seattle Kraken. The company and a partner also has majority control of the Leeds United Soccer Club.
# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-25-cents and the euro at 20-rand-49-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 47-thousand-239-dollars-63-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-30-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-43-cents a barrel.
# And finally: The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level two warning, anticipating severe thunderstorms with strong damaging winds, hail, excessive lightning, and heavy rain. Affected provinces include North West, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, as well as KwaZulu-Natal. Risks encompass localised flooding, structural damages, falling trees blocking major roads, and potential disruptions due to power surges. Extremely high fire danger conditions are predicted in some parts of the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, and Eastern Cape. Residents are urged to exercise caution.
Stay tuned for more news………….