News 9:00
BULLETIN 27 April 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Jacob Zuma to address the Solomon Mahlangu lecture in Mamelodi as part of Freedom Day celebrations
# Minister Lamola welcomes Tanzania’s lifting of import ban on South African agricultural products
# And, Tennis: unseeded Matteo Arnaldi stuns Novak Djokovic at the Madrid Open
# MK Party president Jacob Zuma will today address party supporters and members in Mamelodi as he delivers the Solomon Mahlangu lecture. Since the inception of uMkhonto Wesizwe on the 16 December 2023, the party has dedicated itself amongst other things in telling the history of the country in its own account as black people. The party says as an authentic grassroots movement of particularly black people of South Africa, it is important to set the record straight on some very critical historical events in the liberation struggle of the people.
# International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola has warmly welcomed Tanzania’s decision to lift its import ban on South African agricultural products. The ministry’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri says this resolution follows constructive diplomatic engagement between minister Lamola and his counterpart, underscoring the enduring strength of bilateral relations. He says the ministers agreed to facilitate the resolution of all outstanding issues:
# The DA says it has filed a supplementary affidavit with the Western Cape High Court over the value-added tax matter. The party says the supplementary affidavit is necessary because, despite the scrapping of the 0.5-percent VAT hike, the increase will still come into effect on 1st May, unless the court specifically issues an order to prevent this. The DA says the court must specifically issue an order to stop the VAT increase, on the basis that the Fiscal Framework was unlawfully adopted in Parliament.
# The Freedom Front Plus in Tshwane is demanding urgent intervention in what it says is the growing crisis threatening sustainable water supply in the metro. The party’s, Anne-Marie Sparg, says the metro has to pay Rand Water for every drop of water it consumes, and the licensed water quota is frequently exceeded. She says a serious cause for concern is that large-scale illegal connections, leakages, and water theft make up nearly a third of Tshwane’s water consumption:
# Presidents, royalty and simple mourners bade farewell to Pope Francis yesterday at a solemn funeral ceremony, where a cardinal appealed for the pontiff’s legacy of caring for migrants, the downtrodden and the environment to be kept alive. An estimated 250-thousand people attended the ceremony. U.S. President Donald Trump, who had clashed with the pope on several issues, sat with the rows of foreign dignitaries on one side of Francis’ coffin in St. Peter’s Square. The Argentine pope, who reigned for 12 years, died at the age of 88 on Monday after suffering a stroke.
# And, Tennis: Italian Matteo Arnaldi stunned fourth seed Novak Djokovic yesterday at the Madrid Open. The Italian delivered an inspired performance against his lifelong idol and capitalised on a below-par Djokovic to oust the three-time champion 6-3, 6-4 in the second round. Djokovic has now suffered three consecutive defeats. He reached the Miami final before falling to Jakub Mensik and then lost to Alejandro Tabilo in his Monte-Carlo opener. The unseeded Arnaldi next faces Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia, who overcame 32nd seed Sebastian Baez in three sets.
Stay tuned for more news………….