News 08:00

BULLETIN 17 December 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# John Steenhuisen says the government of national unity has brought fresh optimism
# The Western Cape has extended its spaza shop deadline
# And soccer: The Bafana Bafana captain scoops two major awards

# DA leader John Steenhuisen says reconciliation is not about forgetting the past or pretending it did not happen, but acknowledging it while celebrating the country’s progress. Yesterday marked Reconciliation Day under the theme, Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures. Steenhuisen says the formation of the government of national unity brings hope that inclusive economic growth and jobs can be achieved:

# RISE Mzansi says the work of real nation-building is undermined by millions of South Africans being excluded from meaningfully benefiting from the national economy. It says this is because of poor governance, corruption, lack of vision, and the political will to create a just society. RISE Mzansi’s spokesperson, Mabine Seabe, says next year’s national dialogue announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa needs to answer critical questions:

# The Western Cape government has extended the spaza shop registration deadline to early next year, offering relief to owners. Nationwide, shops face a deadline today following president Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive after a surge in food poisoning cases. The National Informal Traders Alliance Rosheda Muller told Newzroom Afrika that the alliance supports the extension, emphasising the need for compliance across all shops:

# German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a vote of confidence in Parliament, two months after the collapse of his three-party coalition government. Scholz called the vote himself and had expected to lose it, as a step toward securing an early national election. This now paves the way for new elections, which have to take place within 60 days, and have been pencilled in for February 23rd. Defending his decision to push for early elections, Scholz has argued that disunity in the government could no longer be tolerated.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams won two awards at the Confederation of African Football award ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco. He was named goalkeeper of the year and interclub player of the year for his standout performance for PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Ademola Lookman won player of the year for his stellar season for Nigeria and Serie A club Atalanta. Zambia’s Barbra Banda won the women’s prize. Williams says this is a wonderful moment for him:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-84-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 106-thousand-552-dollars-2-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-653-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….