News 08:00

BULLETIN 12 May 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema says he is not ashamed about his UK visa being denied
# Hamas says it will release the US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander
# And rugby: New Zealand retain the U20 Championship title

# EFF leader Julius Malema says he is not ashamed that his visa to the UK was denied last week. He was set to speak at Cambridge University’s Africa Together Conference. The British High Commission in South Africa said Malema’s visa application could not be finalised due to the unfortunate timing of some recent UK bank holidays. Addressing residents in Soweto’s Ward 24 on Sunday, ahead of by-elections on Wednesday, Malema says Soweto will always welcome him:

# Business Unity South Africa says there needs to be a collective effort to help shift the country onto a sustained upward trajectory and deliver on the shared ambition of a virtuous cycle of growth and jobs. The organisation is part of the Government-Business Partnership, which was launched by president Cyril Ramaphosa in 2023. BUSA says improving Eskom’s performance will remain in focus, while work at Transnet is aimed at increasing exports and revenue collection to support employment growth and the economy.

# The Freedom Front Plus in Tshwane has welcomed the Labour Court’s ruling that the South African Local Government Bargaining Council acted unfairly by rejecting the metro’s applications for exemption from the 2021 and 2022 wage increases. The court ruled against implementing a 2023 salary increase for municipal workers, but ordered that stalled 2021 wage negotiations return to the bargaining table. FF Plus’ Grandi Theunissen says the ruling confirms the responsible and principled actions of the previous administration:

# Militant group Hamas says it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who is believed to be the last known living American hostage held in Gaza. He was serving in an elite infantry unit on the border with Gaza when he was captured by Hamas militants during the 7 October attack. Hamas says the release of Alexander is part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire and allow food, medicine, and other supplies into Gaza, which has been under a complete blockade by Israel for 70 days. 

# Rugby: New Zealand narrowly defeated South Africa 48-45 to retain the U20 Rugby Championship title at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The Kiwis rallied from 19-0 behind and survived the dying stages with only 13 players to record an epic win. Australia finished second with a hard-fought 40-36 victory over Argentina, who finished last, with South Africa third. Junior Springboks coach, Kevin Foote, praised his team’s character, attack, and progress, saying the tournament has been a positive learning experience:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-23-cents and the euro at 20-rand-47-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 103-thousand-828-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-275-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….