News 08:00

BULLETIN 11 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC plans to fix local government and improve basic services this year
# George Municipality implements stricter water restrictions as dam levels reach critical levels
# And in rugby, the Bristol Bears stun the Bulls in a Champions Cup encounter at Loftus

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the party set itself the task to fix local government and improve basic services this year. Ramaphosa delivered the January 8 statement at the ANC 114th celebration in Moruleng, North West. He has called on all ANC-led municipalities to implement revenue collection plans to improve collection rates. He added municipalities should revitalise industrial parks and Special Economic Zones to attract investment that supports local manufacturing and create jobs:

Ramaphosa also called on South Africans to celebrate the Constitution, describing it as a living document that defines the nation and its aspirations. He said the Constitution is globally recognised as among the best and is both revolutionary and transformative. He said it advances unity in diversity, democratic governance and the building of a non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society:

# Eskom says the ongoing improvement in energy availability factor has greatly reduced Eskom’s reliance on expensive diesel generation, enabling a stronger focus on more cost effective primary energy sources. The power utility spokesperson, Aubrey Sambo says for a third consecutive week, no diesel was used, resulting in zero expenditure over the past three weeks. He says diesel spending is now 2.9-billion-rand lower than the same time last year:

# The George Municipality in the Western Cape has extended the implementation of water demand management measures for Uniondale and Haarlem. This follows critically low water availability in both areas as a result of ongoing below-average rainfall. The municipality’s spokesperson, Chantel Edwards-Klose says current water supply conditions require immediate intervention to protect potable water availability and ensure continuity of essential services:

# U.S. President Donald Trump met with executives from some of the world’s largest oil companies at the White House to discuss Venezuela, saying he wants them to invest 1.65-trillion-rand in the country to expand its production. Trump has named oil as the priority for his strategy for the country after U.S. forces seized its leader Nicolas Maduro in an overnight raid a week ago. Trump administration officials have said they need to control Venezuela’s oil sales and revenues indefinitely to ensure the country acts in America’s interests, including reducing drug trafficking and corruption.

# And finally rugby: In a high-tempo Champions Cup encounter at Loftus Versfeld, the Bristol Bears secured a historic 61–49 victory over the Bulls. Despite the hosts fielding ten Springboks, Bristol’s high-tempo attack proved unstoppable. Winger Noah Heward starred with a hat-trick in the first half, adding to the visitors’ nine tries. The Bulls fought back with seven tries of their own, but poor defence cost them the match. After this win Bristol moves to the top in Pool 4 with the Bulls in fourth.

Stay tuned for more news………….