News 08:00

BULLETIN 27 November 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says Trump’s statement on South Africa’s G20 participation is regrettable
# Judges Matter is calling for the suspension of judge Portia Phahlane
# And the death toll in the Hong Kong fire rises to 44, with 279 still missing

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has noted the regrettable statement by US president Donald Trump on South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20 Leaders’ Summit. Trump has stated that South Africa won’t be invited to the summit in Florida as the country has refused to acknowledge or address the horrific human rights abuses endured by Afrikaners. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says as a founding member, South Africa has always valued the spirit of consensus, collaboration, and partnership that defines the G20:

# The EFF says small businesses are facing a serious crisis. A briefing to Parliament’s portfolio committee on Small Business Development revealed that one in ten small businesses is at risk of closing immediately due to challenges like lack of financing, logistical issues, and red tape. The EFF’s Babalwa Mathulelwa warns that many small businesses are also excluded from funding. Mathulelwa says urgent action is needed to support these critical contributors to the economy:

# Judges Matter is calling for the Gauteng High Court judge charged with corruption and money laundering to step down and be suspended immediately. Judge Portia Phahlane, her son Kagiso, International Pentecostal Holiness Church leader Michael Sandlana, and businessman Vusi Ndala were arrested on Tuesday evening. Judge Phahlane allegedly received more than two-million-rand in kickbacks to rule in favour of one faction embroiled in the IPH Church’s succession battle. Judges Matter’s Alison Tilley says this matter will now go directly to the Judicial Service Commission:

# The death toll from a massive fire that engulfed multiple residential high-rise apartment buildings in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong has risen to 44, with 45 in critical condition. A total of 279 people are still unaccounted for. Authorities say three men, two directors and one engineering consultant from a construction company, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Hong Kong Fire Department deputy director, Derek Armstrong Chan, says they are struggling to contain the fire:

# Motorsport: Formula One design legend, Adrian Newey, will be Aston Martin’s new team principal from 2026. He will combine the job with the managing technical partner role he has held since joining the team in March this year, after 18 years at Red Bull. Andy Cowell, who has spent the last year as team principal and CEO, will become the chief strategy officer. Aston Martin says the leadership structure change is designed to focus on Newey and Cowell’s individual strengths and expertise, ensuring organisational efficiency.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-12-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-569-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-149-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….