Breakfast Edition: 12 January 2016
WATCH & LISTEN: Here's a recap of this morning's top news stories.
FLOOD WARNING IN GAUTENG: The Tshwane Emergency Services has issued a flood warning following heavy rains the past two days. According to Tshwane EMS's Johan Pieterse, motorists are advised to be vigilant on the roads this morning in light of the heavy rain. "Motorists should avoid low lying bridges as many are already flooded," Pieterse told JacaNews. The Apies River is already flooding at Flower and Lenchen streets in Centurion with emergency personnel that are on high alert should any incidents occur. Meanwhile Joburg Emergency Services has also issued a warning, saying that motorists should keep a safe following distance, reduce speed and drive with their headlights on.
GAUTRAIN BUS DRIVERS GO ON STRIKE: Gautrain bus drivers have started with an unplanned strike resulting in no bus service as of this morning. The trains are however operating. Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager says they will be meeting with bus drivers today.
HEALTH MEC TO RETURN TO CHARLOTTE MAXEKE HOSPITAL: Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu returns to the Charlote Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg to lead a high level visit this morning, and get a first-hand update on the power problems at the hospital. It is totally relying on generators to keep the hospital going but remains closed to any new patients, due to massive power problems. Health spokesperson Steve Mabona, says the hospital is still solely relying on generators to keep it going.
TUKKIES PROTEST SET TO CONTINUE: The protest by workers and students of the University of Pretoria could continue for the rest of the week. Workers downed tools yesterday and protests over night against outsourcing and in support of the Fees Must Fall campaign. Various students have also started protesting with the workers. Tukkies SRC Secretary General Donovan du Plooy says they have called on the University's vice chancellor to immediate intervene - while they prepare for the crucial start of the academic year.
NEVER BEFORE SEEN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID BOWIE: Fans from around the world gathered through the night to mourn the death of music legend David Bowie. In New York the sidewalk in front of his home is packed with flowers and candles. That's where Bowie died, after an 18-month long battle with cancer. He will be honoured with a concert at New York's Carnegie Hall on the 31st of March. Bowie was frank about his own mortality during a 60 minutes interview on CBS back in 2003.
WHAT IS FOOTGOLF? Soccer-mad Argentina has hosted a novel tournament that featured plenty of footballs but no goals as such: the second-ever FootGolf World Cup. Instead of dribbling, tackling and sliding around getting muddy, FootGolf players boot the football large distances into a hole 53 centimetres (20 inches) wide, in as few kicks as possible. Spectators follow the players around each of the 18 holes over a course complete with flags, slopes and bunkers.
