News 18:00

BULLETIN 22 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin

# The IEC faced a tumultuous journey following the amendments to the Electoral Act
# Microsoft pledges 1.3-billion-rand with the South African government to support black-owned businesses 
# And rugby: Ashwin Willemse returns to television as a rugby pundit

# Electoral Commission’s commissioner Dhaya Pillay says the IEC has faced significant challenges ahead of the national and provincial elections, dealing with several court cases. Speaking at the launch of the national results operations centre at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, Pillay reflected on the tumultuous journey since amendments to the Electoral Act, marked by intense litigation and legislative hurdles. She expressed relief and joy at the successful opening of 111 voting stations abroad:

# Tech giant Microsoft has announced a 1.3-billion-rand fund to boost black-owned businesses in South Africa. The fund, part of a black economic empowerment agreement with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, will focus on skills development and supporting black-owned businesses. The investment aims to support young, black South Africans and small and medium enterprises in the technology sector, with a focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The investment, to be deployed over the next ten years, aims to address poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

# The Presidency and National Treasury have unveiled a progress report on the economic reforms through Operation Vulindlela. Initiated as part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, Operation Vulindlela aims to accelerate structural reforms for economic growth and job creation. Director-general in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, explains the report highlights significant achievements in key sectors including energy, logistics, water, and telecommunications:

# Rugby: Former Springbok player Ashwin Willemse will feature in a weekly television programme on eExtra – six years after storming off a SuperSport set. He accused fellow pundits Nick Mallett and Naas Botha of racism in 2018, but they were cleared of the allegations after an independent investigation, while the Human Rights Commission closed its investigation because Willemse failed to respond to questions. Willemse will be an anchor on the programme BÔll & Ôll every Sunday evening. It will mainly focus on local rugby.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-20-cents and the euro at 19-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-775-dollars-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-392-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A British lawmaker received a standing ovation in Parliament, as he made his first appearance since having his hands and feet amputated due to sepsis. MPs cheered as Craig Mackinlay, who has called himself the bionic MP, took his seat in the House of Commons. The 57-year-old Conservative MP was rushed to hospital in September last year and spent 16 days in an induced coma before undergoing a quadruple amputation in December. He has since been fitted with prosthetic hands and legs.

Stay tuned for more news………….