News 08:00

BULLETIN 18 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party leader Jacob Zuma is discharged from a Pietermaritzburg hospital
# The ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa is confident his party will regain lost support
# And rugby: The Lions fight to the end in honour of Hyron Andrews

# Former president and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma has been discharged from Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Zuma was admitted on October 6 after falling ill at a campaign event in Msinga. MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu says doctors found that he was exhausted and fatigued. He says Zuma left hospital in good spirits and will continue recovering under private care. It is unclear if the party will hold its final campaign ahead of the local government elections.

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confident that the party will win back support in the upcoming local government elections. Speaking during a campaign rally in the Western Cape, Ramaphosa said that the recent victory at the Constitutional Court on candidate list inclusion in six municipalities has given the party fresh momentum as it works to reconnect with voters and strengthen its support:

Meanwhile, the Inkatha Freedom Party has launched its Limpopo manifesto ahead of the elections. The launch took place at the Relela Thusong Service Centre Hall in Greater Tzaneen, Mopani District. IFP National Executive Committee member Albert Mokoena says the party is focused on job creation, improved service delivery, clean governance, traditional leadership, strengthening local economic development, and job creation without discrimination. He also hailed the growth on the party:

# US President Donald Trump is blaming senior aides for his Republican Party’s weakening prospects ahead of next month’s midterm elections. Trump has questioned campaign spending, candidate choices and efforts to redraw voting districts, as polls suggest Democrats could win control of the House of Representatives. Tensions have grown between Trump’s political advisers, including campaign strategist James Blair and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Trump has defended Wiles but criticised Blair’s handling of campaign funds. The November 3 elections will determine control of Congress for the final two years of Trump’s term.

# Rugby: The Lions have lost 31-14 to French side La Rochelle in their European Champions Cup opener but delivered a courageous performance in honour of their late teammate Hyron Andrews. Players fought back from an early deficit to level the scores at 14-all, with tries from Henco van Wyk and Morne Brandon. La Rochelle pulled away in the second half, but the Lions kept fighting until the final whistle. Before kick-off, captain Francke Horn laid Andrews’ number-five jersey on the field during an emotional minute’s silence.

And, in more Champions Cup news, the Bulls have launched their campaign with a commanding 56-20 victory over Stade Français in Pretoria. Twenty-year-old wing Cheswill Jooste scored a hat-trick, including the opening try after just 20 seconds. Cobus Wiese, Cameron Hanekom, Marco van Staden, Jeandré Rudolph and Jan-Hendrik Wessels also crossed the line. Fly-half Handré Pollard converted all eight tries as the Bulls secured a bonus point. The French visitors briefly threatened a comeback, closing the gap to eight points, but the Bulls scored the final 28 points without reply.

Stay tuned for more news………….