News 18:00

BULLETIN 25 September 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile highlights inclusive economic growth in the government of national unity’s first 100 days
# Home Affairs clears a backlog of over 200-thousand ID applications in just one month
# And the Rietvlei reserve in Pretoria welcomes a new rhino baby

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has emphasised the government of national unity’s focus on inclusive economic growth during its first 100 days in office. Speaking at the South African Democratic Teachers Union conference, Mashatile stressed collaboration with the private sector and stressed the plans to implement progressive policies. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to a democratic, and inclusive economic society:

# The Department of Home Affairs says it has successfully cleared a backlog of 247-thousand-500 identity document applications within one month. The backlog developed after a change in IT service providers caused delays in processing. The department aims for a full digital transformation to streamline future applications. Minister Leon Schreiber commended the department’s systematic approach and capability to tackle longstanding challenges efficiently:  

# The DA is calling on South Africans to join NERSA’s public hearings from 18 November to 4 December to oppose Eskom’s proposed tariff hikes. The DA’s spokesperson for Energy and Electricity, Kevin Mileham, condemns the planned 36.15-percent increase for 2026, warning it will worsen the financial strain on households. He says the party has launched a petition to block the hikes:

# Cricket: England Test captain Ben Stokes says he would be willing to return to the white-ball setup under new coach Brendon McCullum. McCullum’s appointment as head coach across all formats came after a two-year period of having separate coaches for white and red ball formats. The New Zealander will take charge of the limited-overs sides when England tour India in January. Stokes retired from one-day internationals before returning for last year’s ODI World Cup and last played a T20 international in the World Cup final in November 2022.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-819-dollars-43-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-664-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-28-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Pretoria has welcomed a new female rhino calf. City of Tshwane’s mayoral committee member for Environment and Agriculture Management, Ziyanda Zwane, says all rhinos at the reserve are dehorned and fitted with tracking devices for protection. With the first white rhinos introduced to the reserve in 1987, Zwane says it remains a haven for this endangered species. He also warns the white rhino is listed as an endangered species due to continued poaching for their horns.

Stay tuned for more news………….