News 07:00

BULLETIN 17 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ronald Lamola links groups pretending to represent Afrikaner interests with the US visa restrictions
# A kidnapped former SABC Sports presenter is found dead
# And rugby: The Sharks name a 67-player squad for the United Rugby Championship season

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says the unilateral visa restrictions announced by the US align with the mischaracterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies by fringe groups portraying themselves as representing “minorities” and Afrikaners. The restrictions are targeting people America considers responsible for promoting race-based discrimination, inciting violence against Afrikaners and other minority groups, or enabling land expropriation without compensation. Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says South Africa will continue pursuing dialogue with the US government:

# The Congress of South African Trade Unions says it adjourned its 15th National Congress two days early, in the interests of protecting the unity, integrity and strength of the union federation. The congress descended into chaos after affiliate unions refused to submit credentials in retaliation against the suspension of COSATU’s first president, Mike Shengange, by his union NEHAWU. COSATU president Zingiswa Losi says they cannot say that what transpired at the congress was driven by political influence:

# SaveAct says it’s empowering women and young people in rural communities through savings groups that provide access to affordable finance and training in financial literacy and enterprise development. The organisation has reached more than 115-thousand people through about five-thousand-700 savings groups since 2005. SaveAct’s Belinda Glenn says the organisation operates in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng, intending to reach two-million people by 2035:

# Former SABC Sports presenter and music rights activist, Owen Ndlovu, was found dead in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni yesterday after being hijacked and kidnapped in Katlehong. According to police, Ndlovu was hijacked and kidnapped by three unknown armed men while fetching his wife from church on Tuesday night. His wife survived the attack, and the hijacked bakkie was later recovered abandoned in Walkerville. Ndlovu’s body was found dumped next to a road in Thokoza, reportedly with gunshot wounds. Police have launched a manhunt for the three suspects.

# Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the Houthi drone attack targeting Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, describing it as a shameful act of aggression. Saudi Arabia shot down the Houthi drone on Tuesday, marking the first time in almost a decade that the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group had targeted Mecca. The ministry says the sanctity and security of the holy sites and the safety of those visiting them must not be targeted, threatened, or used in conflicts. It adds that Qatar supports Saudi Arabia’s measures to protect its security and territory.

# Rugby: The Sharks’ head coach JP Pietersen named a 67-man squad for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season, ahead of the first games next weekend. The 67-man squad, comprising 31 backs and 36 forwards, strikes a balance between youth and experience. Among those named are Springboks Thomas du Toit, Andre Esterhuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Hooker, Ox Nche and Edwill van der Merwe, alongside a group of emerging players who have featured in the World Rugby Junior Championship and Currie Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 18-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-332-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-305-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….