News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa says SA is in a new era with the formation of the government of national unity
# ATM says the true essence of heritage is land, culture, and economic justice
# And, a police detective linked to Transnet whistleblower hit rearrested for breaching his bail conditions 

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s political culture has evolved and matured with the formation of the government of national unity. He addressed the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The session was held under the theme, Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere. Ramaphosa says the country is in a new era, one of great promise:

At the same event, Ramaphosa has reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza. About one-thousand-200 people were and 251 others taken hostage by Hamas in Israel in October last year. In retaliation strikes, Israel has killed more than 41-thousand people in Gaza. Ramaphosa says South Africa will not remain silent and watch as apartheid is perpetrated against others:

# The African Transformation Movement says it is imperative to assert that South Africa’s heritage cannot be confined to superficial symbols, but it is land, culture, and economic justice. The country commemorated Heritage Day yesterday. The ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says the nationalisation of banks without compensation reflects the country’s rightful claim to economic power. He adds that the Constitution must be reviewed to embrace an Afro-centric perspective, as it is a vital part of South Africa’s heritage:

# Veteran police detective Michael Pule Tau has been rearrested for violating bail conditions in connection with the murder of whistleblower Armand Swart. Swart was killed in April in a case of mistaken identity shortly after exposing tender price inflation at Transnet. Tau, along with two accomplices, is charged with murder and conspiracy. He had been released under strict monitoring after being charged in a guns-for-hire case but was found missing during a house arrest check, leading to new charges. 

# Rugby: The Stormers have departed for a three-match United Rugby Championship tour, which will see them visit Wales, Italy and Scotland. The 29-man squad includes Ruhan Nel and Damian Willemse, who are returning from injury. Willemse is one of four Springboks selected for the trip, along with Warrick Gelant, Andre-Hugo Venter and Joseph Dweba. New signing Dave Ewers and Louw Nel are both in line to make their competitive debuts for the team. The Stormers kick off their URC campaign against Welsh outfit Ospreys on Saturday.

#  The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-28-cents and the euro at 19-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-417-dollars-18-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-662-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

# And finally, two Russian cosmonauts, Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, have left the International Space Station, after breaking the record for the longest stay at 374 days. Kononenko also now holds the record for the longest cumulative time in space of one-thousand-111 days in orbit. Nasa astronaut Tracy Dyson was also aboard the Soyuz space capsule headed for Kazakhstan after spending six months on the station. Suni Williams, one of the Nasa astronauts currently stranded on the ISS after arriving there on a Boeing Starliner spacecraft, rang the bell for their departure.

Stay tuned for more news………….