News 09:00

BULLETIN 19 May 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Dialogue Steering Committee adopts an implementation framework
# Government is investigating the misuse of South Africa’s Coat of Arms
# And, president Donald Trump says he is holding off on today’s major attack on Iran

# The National Dialogue Steering Committee has formally adopted the National Dialogue Pilot Dialogue Implementation Framework. This is a working guide toward the rollout phase of the National Dialogue pilot process. The pilot phase, scheduled to commence in June, will see 39 sectors of the National Dialogue coordinate a total of 195 pilot dialogues across all nine provinces. The priorities of the proposed pilot dialogues include building trust through direct engagement in communities often excluded from national processes, and dialogue models capable of navigating South Africa’s social, economic and geographic diversity.

# Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has requested the Bureau of Heraldry South Africa to conduct a formal investigation. This is into the alleged unauthorised use of the Coat of Arms by the Somali Association of South Africa. This follows concerns that the association may have incorporated the national Coat of Arms, or a reproduction of it, into its logo and branding materials without authorisation. The department’s spokesperson, Zimasa Velaphi, says the integrity of South Africa’s national symbols is non-negotiable:

# Build One South Africa has welcomed the decision by Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, to dismiss Gauteng Gambling Board CEO Karabo Mbele and suspend chief financial officer Oscar Maripane. Mbele was fired following a forensic investigation into allegations of corruption, financial misconduct, and governance failures within the entity. BOSA’s Ayanda Allie says this development strengthens the need for a full criminal investigation:

# US president Donald Trump says he has instructed his administration to hold off a military attack on Iran planned for today, as mediating countries told him a deal to end the war is getting closer. He threatened Tehran on Sunday that the “clock is ticking” to make a deal, otherwise it will face an attack. Speaking at the White House yesterday, Trump warned he could unleash a “full, large-scale assault at a moment’s notice” on Iran:

# Soccer: Arsenal secured a nervy 1-0 win over already-relegated Burnley to close in on ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title. Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match to lead the Gunners to victory. If Manchester City lose to Bournemouth, who are on a 16-game unbeaten run, this evening, Arsenal will be crowned champions. However, if City beat the Cherries, then the title race goes to the final day of the season on Sunday, with Arsenal just needing victory against Crystal Palace.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-64-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-32-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-733-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-539-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….