News 17:00

BULLETIN 7 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government is to revise the equity rule to boost ICT Investment in South Africa
# Rise Mzansi calls for a national crime emergency response after the Qumbu shooting
# And canoeing: South African Kira Bester is crowned the world champion in Canoe Ocean Racing

# The South African government may revise the 30-percent equity ownership rule for internet providers, which has hindered Starlink from obtaining a licence in the country. Communications minister Solly Malatsi announced that a new policy direction will clarify equity alternatives. This could potentially attract investment in the sector and accelerate universal internet access. The change aims to enable global companies like Starlink to contribute to South Africa’s socio-economic development through alternative equity equivalent measures.

# RISE Mzansi has expressed concern over a mass shooting in Qumbu in the Eastern Cape. The shooting claimed six lives and left four people wounded. The shooting comes after another mass killing of 18 people in Lusikisiki, also in the Eastern Cape. The party is calling for these incidents to be treated a national crime emergency. RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana urges president Cyril Ramaphosa and law enforcement to prioritise these cases:

 # Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi says government is in the final stages of finalising the new Human Settlements white paper. Kubayi was speaking during the World Habitat Day celebration and launch of the Human Settlements Research Strategy. She says the white paper will provide an enabling overarching policy framework for the delivery of sustainable human settlements that are spatially integrated, inclusive, and equitable through a holistic approach involving robust stakeholder engagement:

# The National Shelter Movement of South Africa has criticised the Gauteng Department of Social Development for returning 554-million-rand in unspent funds. The movement’s Zubeda Dangor says these funds were meant for crucial services, including gender-based violence shelters. Dangor says shelters are now facing reduced capacity, leaving many victims unsupported. She has called for urgent reforms in social care funding to prevent further disruption of essential services for vulnerable populations.

# Canoeing: South African paddling star Kira Bester claimed the overall world champion title at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Madeira, Portugal. The 22-year-old completed the 21-kilometre race in just under two hours, beating compatriot Michelle Burn by 22-seconds. Ana Swetish from the USA finished third. Bester describes her victory as a dream come true:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-889-dollars-43-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-646-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….