News 18:00

BULLETIN 5 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Two South African soldiers are wounded in an attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo 
# The minister of Health expresses a commitment to employing health professionals 
# And Soccer: Angry Hong Kong fans demand a refund when Messi couldn’t play 

# Two South African soldiers are in stable condition after being wounded when their helicopter came under attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The South African National Defense Force says the Oryx was hit en route from Rwindi to Goma in the east. The medic on the flight was hit in the chest and the pilot suffered a gunshot wound to the finger. The rest of the people on board were unhurt, and the helicopter landed safely in Goma. The soldiers are part of the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in the DRC.

# Health minister, Joe Phaahla, says the government is committed to employing medical professionals, particularly doctors who completed community service. He asserts efforts are underway to fund vacant posts in underserved communities with 564 medical officer posts filled since October last year and more to be advertised. In his media briefing, the minister cites that the employment of health professionals has steadily increased despite funding constraints. Phaahla calls for a review of the current employment dispensation to enhance funding and reduce workload pressures:

# The Inclusive Society Institute survey highlighted a concerning trend of professionals leaving the country due to limited opportunities. CEO Daryl Swanepoel noted that an increasing number of young people are contemplating emigration amid economic challenges. Speaking to eNCA, Swanepoel emphasised that nine percent of respondents expressed a desire to leave. He stressed the urgency of addressing economic issues as a solution to retain talent and stem the emigration trend:

# Soccer: Inter Miami’s manager, Gerardo Martino, says too much was at stake to risk playing an injured Lionel Messi in yesterday’s pre-season friendly against a Hong Kong Eleven. Angry fans booed when it became clear the captain of the 2022 World Cup winners, Argentina, wouldn’t feature, demanding a refund on their very expensive tickets. The Hong Kong government says Messi was contracted to play at least 45 minutes, but Martino says although they understand the 38-thousand spectators’ disappointment, the medical team decided Messi was unfit to play.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-3-cents and the euro at 20-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 43-thousand-311-dollars-78-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-17-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Grammy award-winning South African singer Tyla says her father already decided he would keep her prize in his room. The 22-year-old was overwhelmed when she was named winner in the category for Best African Music Performance for her smash hit Water, becoming the youngest South African to win the coveted award. Tyla, hailing from Edenvale in Gauteng, wore a dramatic light green Versace cut-out mesh dress. She won the hearts of the audience when she performed an impromptu dance while holding up the Grammy:

Stay tuned for more news………….