News 11:00

BULLETIN 23 August 11 am

Good morning.. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC will unveil 42 possible mayoral candidates for eight metros
# Botswana calls for stronger SADC trade corridors
# And motorsport: Lando Norris is on pole at Zandvoort, after Russell won sprint race

# The ANC has named 42 potential mayoral candidates for South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities, rather than selecting one candidate for each metro. The announcement follows months of delays ahead of the November 4 local government elections. The party widened its selection process, with candidates screened, vetted and interviewed. ANC national officials are expected to make the final selections in September. Meanwhile, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to present the party’s manifesto today with a focus on municipal governance and service delivery.

# ActionSA has announced its Limpopo provincial chairperson, Victor Mothemela, as the party’s mayoral candidate for Polokwane in the November 4 local government elections. The announcement was made by provincial secretary Shobane Mafona during a media briefing in Polokwane. Mothemela replaces Thapelo Molepo, who was withdrawn earlier this week. Mafona says the decision was taken by the party’s national leadership, which believes Polokwane requires a strong candidate capable of addressing service delivery challenges and advancing the party’s agenda.

# The Gauteng Health Department says provincialising Emergency Medical Services in five municipalities are required under the National Health Act, as to align ambulance services with a single-authority model. The department says it is monitoring response times while strengthening coordination, staffing and dispatch systems. Meanwhile, the department’s spokesperson Steve Mabona says the City of Johannesburg’s revised application for an EMS operating licence covering six stations is being processed:

# Botswana President Duma Boko has reiterated calls for greater cooperation and open trade corridors across the SADC region to boost regional commerce. Speaking to the SABC, Boko says countries must move away from working in isolation and instead build on their comparative advantages. He emphasised that expanding regional connectivity is crucial to increasing intra-African trade and unlocking the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area:

And now some sports news:

# Soccer: Orlando Pirates moved closer to a fifth consecutive MTN8 final after beating Sekhukhune United 1-0 in the semi-final first leg at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane yesterday. Left-back Deon Hotto scored the decisive goal shortly before half-time, giving the defending champions a valuable away victory. Pirates, who were not at their best, defended their lead after the break to maintain their unbeaten run in the competition. The teams meet again in the second leg in Orlando next Saturday.

#And finally motorsport: Lando Norris will start today’s Dutch Grand Prix from pole position after edging Mercedes drivers George Russell and championship leader Kimi Antonelli in qualifying at Zandvoort. Norris was just over a tenth of a second quicker than Russell, with Antonelli third. Oscar Piastri qualified fourth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Max Verstappen will start seventh at his home race. Norris’s pole came after Russell had dominated yesterday’s sprint, winning from the front. Charles Leclerc finished second, Norris third and Antonelli fourth.

Stay tuned for more news………….