News 17:00

BULLETIN 2 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government misses the deadline to exempt key areas from load-shedding
# South Africa sees a decline in new-vehicle sales and exports in January
# And cricket: An easy victory for Australia over the Windies in Melbourne

# Government has missed its January 31 deadline regarding load-shedding in key areas. The Gauteng High Court previously ruled that load-shedding has infringed on several rights entrenched in the Constitution. The court order stated that police stations, schools, clinics, and hospitals should be load-shedding-free by the end of January. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa disclosed the government’s contemplation to seek a legal interpretation of the order. Advocate Siphile Buthelezi told SABC News that no appeal has been lodged on the state’s behalf:

# The Automotive Business Council, Naamsa, has confirmed a decline of 3.8-percent in new-vehicle sales in South Africa for the month of January. Additionally, new-vehicle exports saw a decline of 2.1-percent, with 20-thousand-242 units exported. The drop in sales was evident in the new-passenger-car segment, which decreased by 6.7-percent. However, there was a slight increase of 2.3-percent in sales of bakkies, small trucks, vans, and minibuses. CEO Mikel Mabasa attributes the decline to increased cost of living, port challenges, and persistent load-shedding.

# The South African Council of Churches is calling on all South Africans to register to vote during the Independent Electoral Commission’s second and final registration weekend. The registration weekend will take place at various voting stations across the country this weekend. The council’s Malusi Mpumlwana emphasises it is the democratic right of every South African to participate in the voting process. Mpumlwana says by registering to vote, citizens can exercise their voice and contribute to shaping the country’s future:

# Cricket: Australia recorded an easy victory over the Windies in the first one-day game in Melbourne. The visitors were bowled out for 231 in their penultimate over, with Xavier Bartlett taking four wickets. Keacy Carty top-scored with 88 and Roston Chase contributed 59. The hosts reached the target within 39 overs with just two wickets down, with captain Steve Smith and Cameron Green undefeated on 79 and 77, respectively. Josh Inglis scored 65. The second of the three ODIs will be played in Sydney on Sunday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-72-cents and the euro at 20-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-842-dollars-70-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-42-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A report by 10X Investments‘ has revealed most of South Africa’s working class may face lifelong employment due to inadequate retirement provisions, with only 6-percent on track for comfortable retirement. Alarmingly, 30-percent of those over 50 lack retirement plans. Poverty exacerbates the issue, with nearly half of the population below the poverty line. Women, who head many households, fare worse financially. Despite state grants, only 35-percent of retirees are fairly confident in their savings, while some rely on family or state aid.

Stay tuned for more news………….