News 09:00

BULLETIN 11 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA’s all-important leadership elective conference starts today
# Judges Matter welcomes the appointment of a majority of women to the country’s apex court
# And OUTA demands transparency over the Phala Phala findings

# DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga says the party’s congress at Gallagher Convention Center in Midrand is set to elect a young leader to help steer the party’s future direction. Over two-thousand delegates are expected to vote in a closely contested race between the party’s caucus leader in the Sedibeng District Municipality, Sibusiso Dyonase, and Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Msimanga says the DA must expand beyond urban strongholds to grow nationally ahead of the 2026 and 2029 elections, and build stronger community representation across all provinces.

# Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development chairperson, Xola Nqola, has welcomed the appointment of Justices Nambitha Dambuza-Mayosi and Katharine Savage to the Constitutional Court. The judges will take up their positions on 1 May 2026 following consultations with Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and political parties. Nqola says both bring extensive legal and judicial experience and their appointment advances transformation and gender parity in the judiciary. He praised president Cyril Ramaphosa for strengthening South Africa’s apex court.

Meanwhile, Judges Matter has also welcomed the appointment of Justices Nambitha Dambuza-Mayosi and Katharine Savage to the Constitutional Court, describing it as a historic milestone. The organisation says the appointments bring decades of legal and appellate experience to the country’s highest court. It adds that the development makes South Africa’s apex court one of the few globally with a women’s majority. Judges Matter Mbekezeli Benjamin says this reflects significant progress since 1994, when women were largely underrepresented in the judiciary.

# Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse CEO Wayne Duvenage has called for full transparency following the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s declassified report on president Cyril Ramaphosa’s ten-million-rand theft in his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. The report recommends disciplinary action against Major General Wally Rhoode and other officials over alleged irregularities in handling the 2020 incident. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, he urged clear answers over the matter:

# Soccer: South Africa’s women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, says their upcoming friendlies against Algeria are key preparation for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from 25 July to 16 August. The first friendly is at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday. Captain Refiloe Jane says the squad is focused on improving tactics and team unity, while midfielder Linda Motlhalo says the tournament postponement has helped with preparation while giving younger players experience.

# And finally: The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in partnership with Business and Arts South Africa, is hosting the Debut Fund Programme Catalyst Bootcamp in Boksburg. The initiative brings together emerging creatives for training in business development, financial management, marketing, and pitching skills. The programme aims to strengthen sustainable creative enterprises and boost youth participation in South Africa’s arts and culture sector. Participants will receive mentorship from industry experts and present business ideas in a final pitching session today.

Stay tuned for more news………….