News 08:00

BULLETIN 8 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will outline government’s programme of action in his state of the nation address
# COSATU says government needs to close the chapter of failed neo-liberal austerity policies and budgets
# And, the Winter Olympics in Italy is marred by street protests

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will be outlining government’s programme action on the high unemployment rate, crime, economic growth and job creation in the State of the Nation address this coming Thursday. Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa says the president’s address is designed to reach millions of South Africans at home, underscoring its role as one of the most significant moments on the national political calendar. She added SONA provides the President with an opportunity to reflect on the state of the nation across political, economic and social fronts.

As president Ramaphosa prepares for his address, COSATU is calling on the government to close the chapter of failed neo-liberal austerity policies and budgets. COSATU’s spokesperson Matthew Parks says government needs to provide frontline public services with the funds, personnel and infrastructure they require to fulfill their constitutional obligations and developmental mandates:

# Rand Water has appealed to residents and all bulk water consumers to use water sparingly as the utility has to deal with persistently high-water consumption in Gauteng, particularly the City of Johannesburg and Tshwane. Spokesperson Makenosi Maroo says above normal consumption exceeded the allocated volumes and continues to place significant strain on the overall water supply network:

# Eskom says the ongoing improvement in the energy availability factor has greatly reduced Eskom’s reliance on expensive diesel generation, enabling a stronger focus on more cost‐effective primary energy sources. The power utility’s spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says no diesel was utilised during the past week, resulting in nil expenditure. She says total diesel expenditure is now 4.81-billion-rand lower than at the same point last year:

# Rugby: The opening round of the 2026 Six Nations concluded yesterday with two decisive results. At Twickenham, England secured a bonus-point 48–7 victory over Wales, powered by a Henry Arundell hat-trick. Earlier in Rome, Italy recorded a historic 18–15 win against Scotland. Following France’s 36–14 defeat of Ireland on Thursday, England currently lead the standings.  France follows closely in second, while Italy holds third place after their narrow home win. Scotland, Ireland, and Wales remain without points, separated only by their respective scoring margins.

# And finally, a group of around 100 protesters threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at police after breaking away from a main body of a demonstration in the Olympic host city of Milan yesterday. Police in riot gear and with shields responded with water cannon to try to disperse the group. Order was restored after a few minutes. An estimated ten-thousand people had taken to the streets of Milan in a protest over housing costs and environmental concerns on the first full day of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Stay tuned for more news………….