News 11:00

BULLETIN 30 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Thabo Mbeki warns of conflict if the SACP contests the ANC in the 2026 elections
# The US blocks the Palestinian leader from attending a UN meeting in New York
# And tennis news from the US Open

# Former president Thabo Mbeki has cautioned that a direct electoral challenge by the South African Communist Party against the ANC in the 2026 municipal elections could spark confrontation between the two longstanding allies. This comes after SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana affirmed that the party still regards the ANC as a partner, despite plans to contest independently. Mbeki urged the SACP to contest as socialists instead, warning against undermining the tripartite alliance.

# Higher Education and Training Deputy minister Buti Manamela has called for the building of energy programmes for a climate-resilient economy with assistance from the National Treasury. Speaking at the launch of the JET Skills Desk, National Advisory Forum, and Multi-Donor Initiative in Johannesburg, Manamela said the initiatives mark a milestone in building a low-carbon economy. He called for inclusive, demand-driven skills development to ensure South Africa’s transition is equitable:

# Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been blocked from attending the UN General Assembly session in New York next month after he and 80 other Palestinian officials had their visas revoked. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed them for undermining peace efforts and for seeking the recognition of a Palestinian state. The decision is unusual as the US is expected to facilitate travel for officials of all countries wishing to visit the UN headquarters. The ban comes as France leads international efforts to recognise the state of Palestine at the session, a move Donald Trump’s administration has opposed.

Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz surged into the fourth round of the US Open on Friday as American hopes of ending the country’s 22-year wait for a men’s champion suffered a blow with the injury exit of sixth seed Ben Shelton. Spanish second seed Alcaraz breezed past Italian 32nd seed Luciano Darderi with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory and on Sunday will play France’s Arthur Rinderknech. The Spaniard needed a medical timeout while leading 5-4 in the second set for treatment on his right knee, but later said he had no injury concerns.

But while Alcaraz was able to shrug off his knee issue, a shoulder injury scuppered Ben Shelton’s hopes of becoming the first American man to win the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003. The big-serving Shelton, a semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2023, departed the Louis Armstrong Stadium court in tears after being forced to retire at the end of the fourth set of his match against French veteran Adrian Mannarino. In other men’s draw action, Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka sailed into the next round with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Belgium’s Raphael Collignon.

# And finally: President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 for late Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, to be held next Saturday in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. The 72-year-old former National Council of Provinces chairperson and diplomat died on 24 August after a short illness. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Mahlangu, instrumental in drafting South Africa’s Constitution and serving in key diplomatic roles, will be accorded SAPS ceremonial honours at the funeral:

Stay tuned for more news………….