News 11:00

BULLETIN 10 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus says the outcomes of the national dialogue should be measured against participation and action
# Walmart is set to open its first stores in South Africa by year-end
# And rugby: Ethan Hooker is excited about his first Test start for the Boks

# The Freedom Front Plus says the potential outcomes of the national dialogue should be measured against participation in the national convention, with the ultimate test being whether action will be taken to address problems. Answering questions in Parliament, president Cyril Ramaphosa said the convention reflected the broad diversity of South Africa. The FF Plus says its core issue with the dialogue is that the ANC clearly maintained that it will not abandon its policy directions, which include affirmative action and expropriation without compensation.

# US retail giant, Walmart, plans to open its first branded stores in South Africa. The move follows its Growth Summit, which recruited Africa-based suppliers. Massmart CEO Miles van Rensburg says Walmart aims to deliver everyday low prices while supporting local suppliers. He says the launch will boost jobs, and digital shopping experiences. Van Rensburg confirmed that site developments are in place, while locations and opening dates will be revealed soon:

# A family hostage situation in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, ended in tragedy last night when a police constable killed his teenage nephew before turning the gun on himself. Thirty-two-year-old Thapelo Mashego held his 69-year-old mother and nephew hostage for over 16-hours in what is believed to have been a family dispute. Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says hostage negotiators managed to get the constable to release his mother at 11pm, and she was taken to hospital:

Moving abroad:

# Poland’s military says it shot down drones that violated its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine today. This marks the first time the country has directly engaged Russian assets in its airspace since the Ukrainian war started in 2022. Earlier this week, Moscow launched its biggest-ever air assault on Kyiv, with more than 800 drones. A government building was targeted. The Polish Army says this is an act of aggression that poses a real threat to the safety of citizens.

# Rugby: Springbok utility back Ethan Hooker says despite having a mixture of nerves and excitement, he is focused solely on playing to the best of his ability. The 22-year-old will earn his first Test start on Saturday when South Africa takes on New Zealand in Wellington. He came off the replacements bench in Eden Park last week. Hooker says his only objective is to go out there and express himself without fear:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-53-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-819-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-644-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….