News 11:00

BULLETIN 3 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ramokgopa says the ANC will support labour-intensive sectors
# Palestinian officials say they need 600 support trucks per day
# And swimming: Pieter Coetzé secures another medal shot

# ANC National executive committee member, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the party’s NEC recognised the need to support labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. He says their discussions reaffirmed that a sustainable and transformative economic agenda must be people-centred and developmental in character, and rooted in the values of shared prosperity, solidarity, and justice. Ramokgopa says the NEC called for enhanced support to township and rural enterprises, cooperatives, and small, medium, and macro enterprises as engines of inclusive growth:

# The DA in Gauteng says it is concerned that anti-migrant groups like Operation Dudula and March and March are increasingly controlling access to various hospitals and clinics in the province. The party says this is unlawful and needs to be stopped by using local security guards, crime wardens, and police. The DA’s Jack Bloom says he was stopped on Friday by so-called community activists who asked for his ID while visiting the Orchards Clinic in the east of Johannesburg:

# The Cape Independence Party says the City of Cape Town has rejected it application to be admitted as an Amicus Curiae in the matter between the South African Property Owners Association against Cape Town. Cape Independence Party’s Phil Craig says they wished to advance the argument that section 214 of the Constitution compels revenue to be distributed equitably between the various spheres of government and must take into account each sphere’s need to provide services:

# Just 36 aid trucks entered Gaza on Saturday, despite the humanitarian situation in the enclave worsening. Officials say at least 600 truckloads of aid are required daily. A statement last night called for the immediate opening of crossings to allow the entry of aid. US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, meanwhile, told the families of the hostages still held in Gaza that Trump was working with Israel on a plan to end the war. In response, Hamas said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital.

# And finally, sports news:

# Swimming: Pieter Coetzé will have one last shot at adding to his already impressive medal haul at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore after winning his 50-metre backstroke semifinal on Saturday. The 21-year-old already has 100-metre backstroke gold and 200-metre backstroke silver in the bag. Coetzé’s victory in his semifinal saw him break former world champion Gerhard Zandberg’s long-standing South African and African record, set in Rome 16 years ago. The final day of competition in Singapore will also see the South African women’s 4×100-metre medley relay team in action before Coetzé’s 50-metre backstroke final in the evening session.

# And rugby: Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin praised his squad after they outplayed New Zealand’s Black Ferns at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday to end their Rugby World Cup preparations on a positive note. De Bruin said the 41-24 victory, overturning a 34-26 defeat from last weekend, provided several positive outcomes for coaches and players alike. He said their Rugby World Cup preparation is now complete and they can focus on the opening match against Brazil in Northampton. The World Cup squad will be announced on 9 August.

Stay tuned for more news………….