News 18:00

BULLETIN 26 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Human Rights Commission takes action to prevent a recurrence of the July 2021 unrest
# A call for urgent reform of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises
# And, cricket: Williamson and Woakes join Durban’s Super Giants for the next season of the SA20

# The South African Human Rights Commission has launched various projects to prevent a recurrence of the July 2021 unrest. Speaking at Tshwane University of Technology, commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi highlighted initiatives, including social harmony dialogues and the Victim Support Services Bill to be signed into law. He emphasised the need for compensation for victims affected:

# A political analyst is calling for the urgent reform of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises to address issues of state capture and mismanagement. President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed this week that government is moving full steam ahead with plans to establish a holding company to oversee and coordinate key strategic SOEs. Independent political analyst Sandile Swana says SOEs will only perform properly once independent and well-qualified board members and senior management are appointed.

# Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has congratulated deputy chief justice Mandisa Maya on her appointment as his successor, effective 1 September. Zondo praised her as the first woman to hold this role, marking a milestone for South Africa’s judiciary. He also commended her tenacity and work ethic, and expressed confidence in her leadership of the Constitutional Court and other judicial duties:

Meanwhile, the Women’s Legal Centre’s acting director, Charlene May, has emphasised more needs to be done for women in the legal profession. She told Newzroom Afrika of challenges, including patriarchy, non-inclusive workplaces, gender pay gaps, and gender-based discrimination. May urges reforms to support women’s advancement in law:

# Cricket: Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and English allrounder Chris Woakes will play in the SA20 for the first time next year after signing for Durban’s Super Giants. Williamson relinguished the Black Caps’ captaincy when he declined a national central contract for the next season in order to come to South Africa in January, saying the SA20 looks really exciting. Woakes joins national teammates Joe Root and Ben Stokes in the competition. Root joined Paarl Royals, while Stokes extended his contract with M-I Cape Town.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-25-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-666-dollars-31-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-388-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….