News 06:00

BULLETIN 31 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC is seeking an outright majority in the elections
# The Energy Regulator approves the electricity price determination rules
# And in soccer, Bafana Bafana is through to the Afcon quarterfinals

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC will campaign for an outright majority in the upcoming elections, to ensure stability and sustain progress in the country. The Inclusive Society Institute says while ANC support among eligible voters has plummeted to 33-percent, it is still likely to form a government but is unlikely to win a majority. Delivering the closing address at the ANC National Executive Committee Lekgotla in Ekurhuleni yesterday, Ramaphosa, says they will be campaigning in every corner of the country:

He added it is clear that the strategy of the ANC’s opponents is to consolidate anti-transformation forces through things such as coalitions or pacts. In a bid to unseat the ANC in the upcoming elections, eleven parties including the DA, and ActionSA, have formed the Multi-Party Charter For South Africa. Former ANC president Jacob Zuma is campaigning for the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party. In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa says the anti-transformation forces even fund splinter groups and small parties:

# The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has officially approved the electricity price determination rules, marking a significant development in the regulation of the energy sector. These rules, effective immediately, fall under Nersa’s mandate to regulate the piped gas, petroleum pipelines, and electricity supply industries. The decision and reasons for the decision document, along with the electricity pricing rules, are now accessible on Nersa’s website, providing transparency and access to crucial information. Interested parties are encouraged to submit written queries to the regulator.

# The Gauteng Education Department has announced it will offer psychological support to learners who witnessed a fatal shooting incident at the Zakariyya Park community centre during a back-to-school campaign. A senior manager from Rand Water, Teboho Joala was killed in the incident, and City of Johannesburg chief whip Sthembiso Zungu was wounded and taken to hospital. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says they recognise the unfortunate nature of the incident and aim to assist the affected learners in coping with the traumatic experience:

# Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says they won’t withdraw forces from Gaza or free Palestinian prisoners. This follows the head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the militant group is open to serious discussions on a potential hostage deal. About 136 people are still being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas. Netanyahu says Israel will not end this war short of achieving all of its objectives, meaning eliminating Hamas, returning all of the hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.

# Soccer: South Africa is through to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals in the Ivory Coast after knocking out one of the tournament favourites Morocco. Evidence Makgopa’s 57th-minute strike and a free-kick from Teboho Mokoena in the fifth minute of stoppage saw Bafana Bafana beat the 2022 World Cup semifinalists. South Africa will next play Cape Verde on Saturday for a place in the last four. Coach Hugo Broos says beating Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked side, is special:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-78-cents and the euro at 20-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-831-dollars-65-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-36-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….