News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will address the nation on measures against gender-based violence and femicide
# BOSA says national and local governments have important roles to play in the affordability crisis
# And president Abbas warns that the Palestinian existence is under threat

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will address the nation in a few days on the steps government is taking to confront gender-based violence and femicide. He will also provide an update on the investigation into the killings of nine women in and around Ekurhuleni. The president announced this at the National Heritage Day celebrations at the Bongolethu Sports Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape yesterday. Ramaphosa said the pain and suffering that the women of South Africa have been put through stands out as a national shame:

# AfriForum says given the escalating dispute between South Africa and the US, it wants to play an active role in putting forward practical proposals to tackle farm murders and rural safety. The organisation has proposed a Public Community Partnership to create safer conditions in the country so people do not feel compelled to leave. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel says this forms part of its comprehensive safety proposal, which includes its nationwide network of 178 neighbourhood and farm watches:

# Build One South Africa says the country needs a growth agenda capable of putting at least one job in every home, while municipalities must do their part to make cities and towns more affordable to live in. Currently, just 52.4-percent of households’ main source of income is salaries. BOSA says when household finances are under pressure, unnecessary municipal charges, unreliable services and poorly maintained infrastructure place an additional burden on residents. The party calls on government to create conditions for sustained economic growth, greater employment and improved earnings.

# DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says Johannesburg does not lack potential, but lacks a government that can live up to that potential. He addressed supporters in the metro yesterday, as part of the party’s campaign roadshow ahead of the November local government elections. Helen Zille is the DA’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. Hill-Lewis stated that the challenges facing the metro are compounded by a lack of political will despite its vast economic potential, highlighting Johannesburg’s water and power shortages:

# Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas says Palestinians in Gaza were being subjected to killing, destruction, starvation, attempted forced displacement, and a war of genocide, while in the West Bank, settlement expansion was accelerating. He addressed the United Nations General Assembly via a pre-recorded video after his delegation was, for the second consecutive year, denied the visas needed to travel to the US, measures he called unlawful. Abbas emphasised that the Palestinian people will not accept displacement or allow anyone to decide their future on their behalf.

# Rugby: Lock Riley Norton, scrumhalves Andre Warner and Ezekiel Ngobeni, and hooker Vernon Paulo are set to make their Stormers debut in the United Rugby Championship opener against Connacht in Galway, Ireland tonight. Winger Leolin Zas, who made his Stormers debut in 2016, will play his 100th match for the club. He will feature in an experienced back three alongside fellow URC winners Seabelo Senatla and Warrick Gelant. Director of Rugby John Dobson says it will take everything from his players to start the campaign with a win.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 18-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 84-thousand-568-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-286-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….