News 15:00

BULLETIN 24 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says BRICS must leverage innovation and connectivity for greater regional development
# The Constitutional Court will hear an appeal on inmates’ access to personal computers
# And Tennis: A number one world ranking is on the line for Sabalenka and Swiatek in WTA Finals

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says BRICS nations must leverage innovation and connectivity to drive greater regional development. Delivering South Africa’s statement at the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, he welcomed Russia’s initiative to explore future transport networks and digitalisation across BRICS countries. According to Ramaphosa, enhanced regional connectivity and trade facilitation are crucial for strengthening ties in the Global South:

# BOSA has submitted its proposals to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel ahead of the October 31 deadline. Led by Mmusi Maimane, the party advocates for a multi-member constituency system and the formalisation of coalition agreements. These reforms aim to enhance South Africa’s electoral framework, ensuring a more representative and effective democratic process. Maimane also calls for the president to be elected by the people, instead of the ruling party:

# The Constitutional Court will hear an appeal in November from national commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, who is seeking to overturn a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that permits inmates studying to use personal computers in their cells. Thobakgale argues that the SCA overstepped its authority and that such policies should be determined by his department, citing security concerns. Inmate Mbalenhle Sidney Ntuli, who initiated the case, opposes the appeal, arguing the SCA’s ruling is vital for educational access.

# The GOOD Party is demanding a zero-tolerance approach regarding United States artist Chris Brown’s entry into South Africa. They urged Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber to declare him undesirable, given his criminal conviction for assaulting Rihanna, which has resulted in bans from the UK, Canada, and potential refusals in Australia and New Zealand. The party’s Kaden Arguile urges the government to take action that aligns with its commitment to fighting gender-based violence:

# Tennis: Aryna Sabalenka can clinch the year-end number one world ranking in the group stage of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia already. The Belarusian needs to win all three round-robin games to make sure of pipping Iga Swiatek from Poland to the post. Sabalenka overtook Swiatek on top of the rankings this week after Swiatek opted out of the WTA Tour’s Asian leg due to fatigue and the switching of her coach. The finals start in Riyadh on the second of next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-68-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-967-dollars-24-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-736-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….