News 06:00

BULLETIN 11 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency responds to concerns about the cost of the National Dialogue
# Benjamin Netanyahu defends his government’s plan to take over Gaza City
# And cricket: Australia beat the Proteas to claim their 9th consecutive T20 victory

# The Presidency says the total cost of the National Dialogue budget will be developed once the structure and form of the community dialogues are finalised. Many have criticised the reported 700-million-rand price tag for the event. The Presidency states that the University of South Africa will host the first national convention and provide associated goods and services at no charge. Money would be allocated from the budgets of NEDLAC and the Presidency to cover the remaining costs. It adds that public funds will be strictly monitored.

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says it is vindicated by the withdrawal of six legacy foundations from the Preparatory Task Team for the National Dialogue taking place this week. The group praises the move as putting the nation above self-interest and questions president Cyril Ramaphosa’s motives for pressing ahead. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, argues that the dialogue sidelines ordinary citizens and risks becoming an elite political talk, wasting taxpayers’ money:

# The EFF is calling for Sport, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie to resign after old social media posts containing racist remarks resurfaced. The EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo says the comments are deeply offensive to black South Africans and incompatible with holding public office. Thambo insists McKenzie’s removal would demonstrate zero tolerance for racism. This comes amid wider debate over accountability for racial hate speech, with opposition parties warning against selective consequences.

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government will no longer rely on tenders. Lesufi announced a new phase of the Nasi Ispani programme, aimed at training people to perform work currently outsourced through tenders. He says the initiative will create jobs, build skills, and keep resources within the province while reducing corruption risks:

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his government’s plan to take over Gaza City, saying it’s the only way to end the war speedily. This plan has provoked harsh criticism from the families of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are presumed to be alive. Netanyahu claims that they have about 70- to 75-percent of Gaza under Israeli military control. He says they have no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas:

# Cricket: Australia defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first of three T20 Internationals in Darwin, extending their unbeaten streak in the format to nine matches. Tim David scored 83 and shared a seventh-wicket stand of 59 with Ben Dwarshuis, as the hosts posted 178. Nineteen-year-old Kwena Maphaka was impressive with the ball for the Proteas, taking four wickets. In reply, Ryan Rickelton’s 71 kept South Africa in the hunt till the last over, but the visitors eventually fell 17 runs short. The second T20 is at the same venue tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-70-cents and the euro at 20-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-148-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-393-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….