News 08:00
Bulletin Stories
BULLETIN 24 May 8 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The EFF rejects the ICT policy direction gazetted by Solly Malatsi
# COSATU calls for justice and unity across the continent on Africa Day
# And tennis: South African Lloyd Harris qualifies for the French Open main draw
# The EFF has rejected the policy direction gazetted by Communications and Digital Technologies minister, Solly Malatsi. The party says it provides a backdoor for foreign multinationals like Elon Musk’s Starlink to bypass South Africa’s Black empowerment laws under the guise of the Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes. The EFF’s spokesperson, Thembi Msane says this policy is tailor-made to allow Starlink access to operate in South Africa without meeting local ownership requirements:
# COSATU has joined millions across the continent in commemorating Africa Day 2025, honouring Africa’s liberation struggles and reaffirming solidarity with oppressed nations. Spokesperson Zanele Sabela emphasised support for Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sabela has condemned colonial injustices in Palestine and Western Sahara. She calls for African industrialisation, trade integration, worker unity to end poverty and to fight injustices:
# The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association has reported high visitor satisfaction and full recovery of US travel to South Africa, with 372-thousand-362 arrivals in 2024, matching pre-pandemic levels. CEO David Frost says while challenges like crime exist, tourist safety remains a top priority. With strong public-private safety efforts Frost calls for responsible international reporting to protect tourism’s critical role in local livelihoods across Southern Africa.
# Seventeen people were injured, four of whom critically, in a knife attack at Hamburg’s Central Station. German police have arrested a 39-year-old German woman, who they believe acted alone, after a major police operation. Officers told CNN they are not assuming any political motivation but were looking into whether the suspect had mental issues. Hamburg’s Central Station is the busiest passenger railway station in Germany, with more than 550-thousand travellers per day. Germany has seen an increase in knife crimes in recent years, with some incidents stirring up tensions over migration.
# Rugby: The Pumas host the Griquas in the SA Cup final in Nelspruit today. The final, a repeat of the 2024 decider which Griquas won 46-24 to capture the first SA Cup title, is the fifth decider in the last eight years between the two rivals. The Pumas won the SuperSport Rugby Challenge in 2018, and Griquas got their revenge in the same competition a year later. In 2022, the Pumas won the Currie Cup Premier Division final, and last year Griquas took the honours in the SA Cup. Kick-off is at 6:30 pm.
# And, Tennis: South Africa’s Lloyd Harris has qualified for the French Open main draw after beating Croatian veteran Marin Cilic in his final qualifying match. Cilic is renowned for winning the US Open in 2014 and is a former world number 3. Harris has recently been plagued by injuries which has seen his ATP rankings drop from 31 to 226 in the world. Since returning to competitive tennis he has struggled to regain his top form. Harris is facing a tough first match on Sunday, against Russian 17th seed Andrey Rublev.
Stay tuned for more news………….