News 08:00

BULLETIN 18 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Southern African Customs Union is evolving to meet demands
# The Tutu and Mandela Foundations reject a planned anti-migrant protest on Mandela Day
# And rugby: The Boks have only lost to Wales seven times in the past

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Southern African Customs Union remains one of South Africa’s greatest strategic assets. Ramaphosa was addressing the fourth South Africa and Namibia Bi-National Commission Business Forum in Johannesburg. He says as the world’s oldest customs union, SACU has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The president says the union has evolved to meet the demands of a changing global economy:

# The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation strongly condemned plans by the March and March movement to use their 67 minutes of community service on Mandela Day for planned anti-migrant protests. A poster circulated this week by March and March under the heading Honouring the People’s President, invokes the names of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Zephania Mothopeng in support of marches planned for today. The foundations say Mandela and Tutu both understood that democracy requires active participation, robust debate and the freedom to express dissatisfaction with those in positions of power.

Meanwhile, Build One South Africa has launched its ‘double in a day’ Mandela Day campaign, urging South Africans to honour Mandela’s legacy through community service and democratic participation. Today, party members will spend 67 minutes serving their communities while encouraging at least 67 eligible people to register to vote on 4 November. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane says Mandela’s legacy is best honoured by serving communities and participating in democracy.

# The DA in the Western Cape is calling on the national government to urgently appoint a permanent provincial police commissioner to fight against ongoing violent crime in the communities. Provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile retired at the end of last month after serving a distinguished 40-year career in police. The DA’s Benedicta van Minnen says the Western Cape cannot continue to fight increasingly sophisticated criminal networks without permanent leadership, strategic direction and accountability at the highest level:

# Rugby: The Springboks have only lost seven Tests against Wales in the past, having won 36 out of their previous 44 encounters. The two countries will meet for the 45th time in today’s Nations Championship match in Durban. South Africa has won its previous two encounters in the competition, against England and Scotland, while Wales beat Fiji, but lost to Argentina. The world champions’ biggest ever victory of 96-13 over Wales was at Loftus in June 1988, while they also beat them 73-0 in Cardiff in November.

# And, motorsport: World championship leader Kimi Antonelli set the best time for Mercedes ahead of defending champion Lando Norris of McLaren in Friday’s second free practice ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen third for Red Bull. Norris was given a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after taking a new battery. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth best for Ferrari, ahead of Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull, and Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren.  Franco Colapinto was seventh for Alpine, with Antonelli’s teammate, George Russell clocking in at eighth.

Stay tuned for more news………….