News 09:00

BULLETIN 28 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solly Msimanga says the DA’s party structures must be strengthened
# AfriForum criticises the government for approving a Zanzibar water project
# And showers, thunderstorms, and fluctuating temperatures are expected in Joburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town

# DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga has declared his candidacy for the party’s federal chairperson position, currently held by Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Ivan Meyer. Speaking in Pretoria, Msimanga emphasised strengthening party structures, devolving power internally, and preparing for upcoming elections. The former Tshwane mayor vowed to defend party principles, while ensuring branches and members have a stronger decision-making voice:

# AfriForum says the government’s approval of Rand Water’s 800-million-rand investment in a Zanzibar water project shows misplaced priorities. The organisation warns that while millions are being spent abroad, residents in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State, and North West continue to face serious water shortages. AfriForum’s Marais de Vaal calls the decision politically driven and urges the government to focus on addressing local water crises first:

# Eskom has confirmed continued improvements as plant performance has lifted the Energy Availability Factor to 65.24-percent for the financial year to date. Unplanned outages have dropped by 41.8-percent compared to the same period last year, while diesel spending is down by over 50-percent. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says South Africa has recorded 287 consecutive days without supply interruptions with no load-shedding expected this summer, citing gains under its Generation Recovery Plan.

# Ghana’s Foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has urged Ukraine to release Ghanaian nationals recruited into the war. At least 55 Ghanaians have been killed, with two held as prisoners of war. Speaking after talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ablakwa says about 272 Ghanaians have been lured into the conflict since 2022. He made a humanitarian appeal for the release of two Ghanaian nationals captured as prisoners of war:

# Soccer: Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze is gearing up for his first Soweto derby against traditional archrivals, Orlando Pirates, today at FNB Stadium. A win for the Chiefs will see them cut the gap with the Buccaneers to five-points. Meanwhile, Pirates will not afford to lose again after falling to a 2-1 defeat to title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns. Kaze emphasises the execution of the game plan effectively at the calabash:

# And finally, residents of Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town are heading into a mixed weekend of showers, thunderstorms, and varying temperatures. According to AccuWeather, Johannesburg will reach 27 degrees Celsius today, with morning rain, and Sunday will hit 26 degrees Celsius with afternoon showers. Monday warms to 26-degrees-Celcius with possible thunderstorms. Pretoria will be hotter, with a 29-degrees-Celcius today and spot morning storms, 30-degrees-Celcius Sunday with thunderstorms, and 28-degrees-Celcius on Monday under cloudy skies. Cape Town stays cooler, near 19–22-degrees-Celcius, with periodic showers.

Stay tuned for more news………….