News 06:00

BULLETIN 27 May 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will answer questions in Parliament today
# Sihle Zikalala emphasises the importance of infrastructure development
# And the head of the controversial Israel-backed Gaza aid group resigns

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will appear in the National Assembly today to answer questions, which will centre on economic growth and job creation. The presidency says he will brief Parliament on efforts to redress race-based discrimination and the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. It adds that Ramaphosa will also reflect on South Africa’s commitment to conflict resolution regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in that country.

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Communications and Digital Technologies will today be briefed by minister Solly Malatsi on a new draft policy directive for the information and communication technology sector. The discussion will focus on licensing applications and the equity equivalent investment programme. Malatsi is also expected to update members of Parliament on the 150-million-rand budget used to help settle the SABC’s debt to Sentech.

# Deputy minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, says infrastructure development and industrialisation are the two keys that will address the challenges of the country’s economy. The Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium kicked off in Cape Town on Monday, with president Cyril Ramaphosa set to deliver the keynote address today. Zikalala says the department aims to create an environment conducive to investment, urging developers to come forward with their insights and proposals:

# The City of Ekurhuleni has announced a one-thousand-200-unit housing project aimed at benefiting residents of the Marikana informal settlement. This initiative follows a fire that claimed six lives in the settlement. Ekurhuleni Human Settlements mayoral committee member Kgopelo Hollo said the Langaville Extension 12 project will address long-standing housing challenges while providing bulk infrastructure to support the new homes:

# The head of an organisation set up to distribute aid in Gaza as part of a controversial Israel-backed plan has resigned. The former US Marine, Jake Wood, quit the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, saying it would not be able to fulfil the principles of “humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence”. In response, the Foundation said it would “not be deterred” by Wood’s resignation and would continue deliveries to reach one-million Palestinians by the end of the week. The plan is heavily criticised by the United Nations which refuses to participate.  

# Athletics: The DA has called for calm and unity ahead of Athletics South Africa’s elections on Saturday. This after A-S-A president James Moloi requested police presence at the elections, a move the party says signals deep dysfunction and instability within the federation. The DA’s Joe McGluwa says the ongoing infighting, legal threats, and withdrawal of key provincial nominees reflect poor governance that continues to overshadow the achievements of athletes:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-83-cents and the euro at 20-rand-31-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-235-dollar-30-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-346-dollars-91-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….