News 11:00

BULLETIN 1 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party marks its first anniversary with bold ambitions
# Namibia’s main opposition party rejects the national elections outcome
# And, SA Rugby is to present an equity deal value proposition to Parliament

# The MK Party, founded by former president Jacob Zuma, celebrated its first anniversary in Ekurhuleni. The party campaigned in the 2024 general elections and is the official opposition. Secretary-general Floyd Shivambu said the party is optimistic about securing a two-thirds majority in the 2026 local government elections. He emphasised the party’s aim to unite progressive forces:

# The South African National Defence Force has intensified border operations in Limpopo, revealing that pregnant women are crossing illegally from Zimbabwe to secure child grants. SANDF’s Shihlangoma Mahlahlane stated to the Citizen that these women aim to register their children as South African citizens after giving birth in local hospitals. Mahlahlane says the SANDF’s Operation Corona includes night patrols targeting illegal crossings. He also confirmed that high unemployment and economic hardship in neighboring countries are driving the trend.

# The president of Namibia’s Independent Patriots for Change party, Panduleni Itula, says the opposition will not “under any circumstances” recognise the outcome of the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections, regardless of its outcome. He was speaking on the final day of voting yesterday. Itula, whose party is hoping to end 34 years of rule by SWAPO, says the rule of law has been “grossly violated”. The IPC will seek to have the election results nullified and advocate for Namibians to get another change to vote.

# The SA Rugby Union will address Parliament’s portfolio committee on sport, arts, and culture this coming week regarding a proposed deal to sell a stake in Springbok commercial rights to US firm Ackerley Sports Group. SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says they aim to secure a sustainable agreement through their value proposition, ensuring long-term benefits for South African rugby while maintaining its integrity:

And on the field, the Bulls achieved victory in Galway last night, defeating the Irish team Connacht 28-14 in the United Rugby Championship, also collecting an important bonus point. With this victory they have moved from third to second place on the log with 24 points. The Sharks benefited from an error-prone performance by the Stormers as they defeated them 21-15 at Durban’s Kings Park. The Lions’ luck ran out against Munster and they went down to the Irish team by 17-10.

Stay tuned for more news………….