News 09:00

BULLETIN 16 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa promises South Africa won’t turn its back on the oppressed
# Judgment has been reserved in the recusal of the judge in the “Kill the Boer” case
# And, the DA meets with world leaders in Germany to promote freedom and security

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa may be a small nation on the international front, but it will not be silenced about global human rights abuses. In his first-ever address to the Cape Town Press Club on Thursday, Ramaphosa referred to unfolding conflicts in Russia and Ukraine and between Hamas and Israel. He also addressed several pressing issues in the country. Journalists peppered the president with questions, and concerns that stood out were the country’s ever-changing foreign policy, load-shedding, and the upcoming general elections.

# The Supreme Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in AfriForum’s application to have the acting judge of Appeal, Raylene Keightley, recused from the “Kill the Boer” appeal case. In 2023, the organisation’s legal team formally requested the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Appeal for Judge Keightley to recuse herself from the panel of judges presiding over AfriForum’s appeal application against Julius Malema and the EFF’s chanting of “Kill the Boer”. AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel says the application was filed based on an earlier case in 2018 where Keightley expressed strong opinions against the organisation:

# The DA will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany from today until Sunday. The party’s participation in this important global event forms part of its international outreach efforts to promote South Africa’s domestic interests. Standing firm on Constitutional values, it is joining global leaders in Munich in working to advance justice, freedom, and democracy throughout the world. The DA’s Emma Louise Powell says the conference is an international platform for global discussions on security policy, a rules-based international order, democracy, and freedom.

# The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ghana is currently in Namibia to benchmark with the Electricity Control Board on various aspects of electricity regulation. The visit aims to compare experiences and exchange knowledge on electricity tariffs, investments, competition, enforcement, and stakeholder protection. The board’s general manager of Economic Regulation, Pinehas Mutota, highlighted the importance of the visit in implementing reforms in the sector:

# Rugby: Ireland and Wales may play in alternative jerseys when they face each other in the future. This is to make it easier for colour-blind spectators to watch their games. The combination of Wales’ traditional red and Ireland’s green jerseys poses particular problems for colour-blind people, making it difficult to follow games. When World Rugby’s new regulations come into force at the end of the year, the onus will be on the visiting team to make a gear change if necessary.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-96-cents and the euro at 20-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 52-thousand-199-dollars-20-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-3-dollars-91-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….