News 06:00

BULLETIN 8 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency says this year’s State of the Nation address holds special significance
# The US Secretary of State says a lot of work remains to end the Israel-Hamas conflict
# And soccer, Nigeria beat South Africa to reach the Afcon final

# The Presidency says this year’s State of the Nation address holds special significance as it is not only the end of term but also the address ahead of South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the address this evening. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Ramaphosa will highlight achievements, flag challenges and outline interventions to unlock the country’s development. He adds that the president will set out the government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead.

Meanwhile, the EFF anxiously awaits a court ruling that will determine whether their suspended members of Parliament, including Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu, can attend tonight’s SONA. Six EFF members were suspended from parliamentary activities for their stage-storming antics during last year’s address, effectively banning them from attending the last SONA of the incumbent administration. The party’s secretary-general, Marshall Dlamini, says they are committed to holding Ramaphosa accountable:

# Trade union Solidarity warns of a potential mother of all court cases against the National Health Insurance Bill. The legal battle begins today as the High Court in Pretoria reviews the Department of Health’s decision to advertise and fill senior NHI-related posts before parliamentary approval. The union intends to challenge the NHI’s constitutionality in a series of fierce legal showdowns throughout the year. Solidarity’s Anton van der Bijl deems the job advertising illegal, asserting the government’s rush to push the NHI through despite opposition.

# The DA has filed an urgent application with the Gauteng High Court to contest the reappointment of Johannesburg city manager Floyd Brink. The party seeks to have the decisions leading to Brink’s rehiring declared unconstitutional, unlawful, and invalid. They also demand that any employment or performance contracts with Brink be similarly invalidated. The DA aims to hold mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and speaker Margaret Arnolds in contempt of court for Brink’s permanent appointment.

# US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, says a lot of work still has to be done to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas. Officials of the militant group confirmed yesterday that its latest response to a ceasefire proposal included hostage releases in three phases, an initial 45-day pause in fighting, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Blinken says they still see negotiations as the best path forward in bringing peace to Israel and Gaza:

# Soccer: Three-time champions Nigeria defeated South Africa four-two on penalties to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final. William Troost-Ekong put the Super Eagles into the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half, before Bafana Bafana earned a spot kick of their own which was converted by Teboho Mokoena, leaving the game at one-all in normal time and after extra time. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties as Nigeria booked a place in the final where they will face hosts Ivory Coast.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-87-cents and the euro at 20-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 44-thousand-595-dollars-78-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-37-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….