News 13:00

BULLETIN 18 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Thabo Mbeki urges the ANC to protect the National Dialogue despite disputes
# The South African Weather Service warns of more severe weather across four provinces
# And, Eskom is certified as a top employer for a second year

# Former president Thabo Mbeki says the ANC must ensure the National Dialogue goes ahead despite political disputes. This follows the induction of 99 members of the National Dialogue Steering Committee in Pretoria. Speaking in Bloemfontein, Mbeki warned that counter-revolutionary forces oppose the dialogue because it empowers the masses to decide the country’s future without intimidation. He stressed that South Africa must not be dictated to by narrow interests:

# Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is under investigation by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka following his decision to withdraw South Africa’s official entry to the 2026 Venice Biennale. The probe comes after a complaint by the DA’s Leah Potgieter, who is questioning whether the move constitutes maladministration or an abuse of power. McKenzie says the withdrawal was due to concerns about alleged foreign funding and geopolitical influence. The Venice Biennale runs from 9 May to 22 November in Italy, exploring contemporary art and culture.

# The South African Weather Service has warned that severe weather will continue to affect Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Disruptive rainfall and severe thunderstorms are expected, with orange and yellow level warnings issued for flooding, fast-flowing streams, mudslides and damage to infrastructure. Limpopo and Mpumalanga remain the hardest hit, with infrastructure destroyed and lives lost. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and avoid flooded areas. Meanwhile, SAWS has warned of high fire danger conditions expected in parts of the Eastern Northern Cape and the Free State.

# Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has won a seventh term in office, extending his rule to four decades. The Electoral Commission says the 81-year-old secured 71.65-percent of the vote in Thursday’s election. Opposition candidate Bobi Wine received 24.72-percent and has rejected the results. African election observers have raised concerns over intimidation, arrests and abductions targeting the opposition. They say that these actions instilled fear and undermined public trust in the electoral process.

# Soccer: Sport, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie says South Africa will bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, with plans to invite Namibia and Botswana as co-hosts. Speaking to SABC Sport in Morocco, McKenzie said the bid supports government’s drive to attract major international events and stimulate economic growth, stating that Southern Africa’s strong infrastructure positions the region well. The bid is expected before the 1 February deadline:

# And finally, Eskom has been certified as a Top Employer for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute. This marks Eskom’s second consecutive year receiving the prestigious recognition. The Top Employers Institute evaluates organisations against international standards across people development, care and workplace culture. Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane says the certification reflects the power utility’s commitment to strong human capital practices, workplace excellence and building a future-ready organisation. He says the recognition affirms efforts to create an environment where employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

Stay tuned for more news………….