News 07:00

BULLETIN 9 November 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the country has once again demonstrated the strength of its democracy
# The Government outlines guidelines for the establishment of new municipal councils
# And two trains collide in Egypt, leaving seven people dead

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the local government elections are proof of the enduring strength of South Africa’s democracy and the sovereign right of citizens to choose their representatives. A total of 14.9 million people voted in the elections, which saw the ANC secure the majority of votes nationally. Delivering the keynote address following the declaration of the final results of the elections in Gauteng yesterday evening, Ramaphosa called on the incoming councillors to take up their responsibilities and serve communities:

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has warned political parties against allowing coalition negotiations to become contests over positions and power. Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni are among the 136 municipalities without an outright majority, with Cape Town the only metro in the country won with a majority by the DA. Ramaphosa said the stability of municipalities cannot be sacrificed to narrow political interests:

# Government says attention is now shifting to the establishment of new municipal councils following the announcement of the final results of the 2026 local government elections. The focus will be on ensuring that incoming councillors strengthen governance, accountability and service delivery. The Department of Cooperative Governance, National Treasury and the South African Local Government Association have outlined measures to guide provinces and municipalities through the transition. Government says municipal financial management will remain a key responsibility for incoming councils.

# South Africa will host the joint meeting of Southern African Development Community Ministers of Health and Ministers responsible for HIV and AIDS in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, from today until Friday. Health Department spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says the meeting comes at a critical time for the region’s health and development agenda. He says the gathering will provide an opportunity for ministers to strengthen regional cooperation, improve health security and agree on practical measures to address emerging public health challenges across the region:

# Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered an investigation after at least seven people were killed and more than 100 were injured after two trains collided yesterday. A train travelling to Fayoum province crashed into the rear of a train heading to Aswan province in the south. According to reports, passengers were trapped inside one of the carriages of the stationary train and died. Officials have warned the death toll could rise. Al-Sisi says anyone found negligent must be held accountable.

# Rugby: England secured a dominant 45-22 victory over Australia in their Nations Championship encounter at Twickenham yesterday. Steve Borthwick’s men ran in seven tries, headlined by a brace from Henry Pollock to record England’s highest-ever points tally against the Wallabies. The result marks Australia’s third consecutive defeat following a pair of heavy losses to New Zealand last month. It proved to be a highly competitive weekend of international rugby, with South Africa, New Zealand, Wales, and France also securing victories in their respective Nations Championship fixtures.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-48-cents and the euro at 18-rand-38-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-233-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-129-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….