News 16:00

BULLETIN 13 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Freedom Front Plus leader accuses Cyril Ramaphosa of wasteful spending amidst a hunger epidemic 
# The IFP says crime and unemployment surge under the ANC’s rule
# And Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz would prefer Olympic gold above a Roland Garros title 

# The Freedom Front Plus says president Cyril Ramaphosa spends 24-thousand-rand per person for meals on his jet, while thousands of children die of hunger every year. During the State of the Nation Address debate, the party criticised Ramaphosa’s speech, highlighting the government’s failures in service delivery and the ongoing energy crisis. Party leader Pieter Groenewald notes prevailing disappointment among South Africans with the current government and calls for a transformative change:

Inkatha Freedom Party president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, criticised the ANC’s departure from the original vision of a people-centred society. He highlighted economic challenges spanning three decades, recent struggles, and alarming trends in crime and unemployment during the state of the nation address debate. Hlabisa firmly rejects the National Health Insurance Bill, positioning the IFP as an alternative force for change with a legacy of success as the elections approach:

# A 34-year-old former teacher of the St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Pretoria was granted ten-thousand-rand bail in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court when he appeared on charges of rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, says it’s alleged the teacher abused a grade 5 learner during swimming lessons and extra classes between 2017 and ’18. Mahanjana says the case was postponed to the 27h of next month for further investigations:

# Tennis: World number two Carlos Alcaraz has set his sights on Olympic gold this year, rather than trying to win the French Open. The Spaniard’s two Grand Slam titles came at the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon last year, while he reached the semifinal at Roland Garros in 2023. Alcaraz says if he had to choose, a gold medal would be his first choice. The French Open ends in Paris on 9 June and the Games’ tennis competition starts at the same venue on 27 July.

# And finally: Local actress Aletta Bezuidenhout died at the age of 76 early this morning. She was known for roles in television series such as Die Sonkring and the movie Paljas. She also featured in the international film My Country where she shared the silver screen with Samuel L Jackson and Juliette Binoche. Bezuidenhout was born in Kenia and later studied drama at the University of Cape Town. Gérard Rudolf, who worked with her on Paljas, describes Bezuidenhout as one of the country’s greatest artists.

Stay tuned for more news………….