News 17:00

BULLETIN 15 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Dean Macpherson unveils the first bid window for infrastructure project funding
# Concern over rising human trafficking and drug cartel scams in South Africa
# And road running: The Cape Town marathon returns

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister, Dean Macpherson has launched a bid window for project preparation funding. It targets sectors including energy, water, sanitation, and transport. Macpherson says the initiative aims to boost infrastructure investment, drive job creation, and add 1.5-percentage points to economic growth. In addition, he says that a National Construction Summit will be held in eThekwini next month:

# The Public Service Commission has flagged inefficiencies in the provision of offices for public servants. Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya highlighted how this has affected service delivery. Releasing the PSC quarterly report, he notes that it impacts not only citizens but also the public servants themselves. Gxoyiya called for improvements in office infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and overall service quality in the Public Service:

# Civil society organisation Baagi ba South Africa has expressed concern over rising human trafficking and drug cartel scams targeting South Africans. Data from the Department of International Relations revealed that 680 South Africans were imprisoned abroad for drug offenses in 2023. The organisation has reunited 36 South African drug mules with their families in six years. Founder Glory Matipile emphasised that many victims apply for jobs abroad, making them easy targets for trafficking schemes and scams on social media.

# The Tourism Business Council of South Africa has welcomed the new White Paper on Tourism Development, replacing the 1996 version. The white paper has been approved for public comment by cabinet. CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa told Newzroom Afrika that the update promotes transformation, and addresses key issues, including improved market intelligence, technology, and skills development to enhance tourism:

# Road running: The organisers of the Cape Town Marathon say this year’s race promises to be one of the most thrilling in the event’s history. A record-breaking 21-thousand people will participate this weekend. Last year’s winners, Tsige Haileslase and Adane Kebede Gebre, both from Ethiopia, will return to defend their titles. Race director Barry van Blerk says the race is set to showcase the best marathon elite field ever assembled on African soil.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-866-dollars-63-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-649-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….