News 17:00

BULLETIN 15 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the election of a steering committee for the National Dialogue
# The Lungu family’s appeal on his burial ruling is postponed to Monday
# And rugby: The Gautrain and Prasa collaborate to provide transport to Ellis Park tomorrow

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that a citizen-composed steering committee will be elected today to lead the National Dialogue. Speaking at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, Ramaphosa assured the dialogue would be held at minimal cost as cost-cutting measures are being implemented. He praised UNISA for offering its venue free and said future dialogues will use schools, churches, and even outdoor spaces to keep expenses low:

# The High Court in Pretoria has postponed former Zambian president Edgar Lungu’s family’s bid for leave to appeal a ruling ordering his body to be repatriated to Lusaka. The family’s legal representative, human rights lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, told the judge both parties agreed to discuss the matter out of court and return on Monday. The family wants Lungu buried in South Africa to avoid involvement by current Zambian president and political rival, Hakainde Hichilema, while the Zambian government wants him to be buried in his homeland.

# Cilliers Brink has accepted the DA’s nomination to run for Tshwane mayor in next year’s local government elections. He says he is determined to complete the work started under DA leadership, aiming to improve services, tackle corruption, and rebuild infrastructure. Brink blamed the ANC and its coalition partners for mismanagement, power cuts, and failing to invest in water and electricity:

News from abroad:

# Air Canada and its flight attendants remained at odds despite government pleas for both sides to return to the negotiating table to avert a strike. It could upend travel for tens of thousands of passengers. Canada’s largest airline expects to cancel 500 flights by the end of the day ahead of tomorrow’s planned strike, leaving some 100-thousand passengers scrambling for alternatives. The airline’s ten-thousand flight attendants are gearing up to strike should their demands for higher wages and compensation for unpaid work are not met.

# Rugby: The Gautrain Management Agency and PRASA have partnered to provide smooth transport for fans attending the Springboks’ Rugby Championship clash with Australia at Ellis Park tomorrow. Supporters can take the Gautrain to Park Station, then transfer to a PRASA train directly to the stadium. Gautrain spokesperson Albi Modise says the initiative promotes safe, convenient travel and reduces traffic, with parking at Gautrain stations costing just one-rand:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-58-cents and the euro at 20-rand-54-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-617-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-337-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….