News 08:00

BULLETIN 18 November 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC introduces a rigorous candidate selection process for 2026
# Minister Gwarube will act against contractors who fail to complete school projects
# And the UN Security Council approves a US-drafted resolution for Gaza

# The ANC’s National Executive Committee has approved the rules and guidelines for the candidate selection process for next year’s local government elections. These guidelines outline the minimum requirements ANC members must meet to qualify for seats in municipal councils across the country. At least 70-percent of the candidates must have prior experience in any sphere of government. ANC Electoral Committee chairperson, Kgalema Motlanthe, says candidates must have the right skills, knowledge, and integrity required to serve communities effectively:

# Controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi is set to testify at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry today and tomorrow. He is accused of acting as a go-between, suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mogotsi is alleged to have sourced 500-thousand-rand from Matlala for flights and accommodation for eight ANC members to attend a fundraising gala dinner, ahead of the party’s January 8 event in Cape Town this year. For his efforts, Matlala allegedly got classified police information from Mogotsi.

# Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube says her department will blacklist contractors who do not complete school infrastructure projects. She conducted an oversight visit to two schools plagued with infrastructural issues in the Eastern Cape on Monday. A report by the South African Human Rights Commission found that almost all the schools that were evaluated in the province have damaged buildings, pit latrines, and no electricity or water supply. Gwarube says they are committed to addressing infrastructure challenges:

# The United Nations Security Council has adopted a US-sponsored resolution that endorses a peace plan for Gaza, and a temporary international force in the enclave. The resolution was backed by 13 countries, including France, the UK and Somalia, with abstentions by China and Russia. The resolution is intended to add international legitimacy to US president Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan. US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, says the resolution represents another significant step towards a stable Gaza:

# Tennis: France and Belgium face off in the first quarterfinal of the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy, today. The hosts and twice defending champions will play Austria tomorrow, while the other two quarterfinals will be completed on Thursday. These will see Spain, led by world number one Carlos Alcaraz, facing the Czech Republic, and Argentina coming up against Germany, spearheaded by number three, Alexander Zverev. The semifinals will be played on Friday and Saturday, and the final on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-12-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….