News 11:00

BULLETIN 2 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges all eligible voters to register
# Road running: The Comrades Marathon Association organises next year’s marathon on its own
# And finally: The Sopranos star Vincent Pastore dies aged 80

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa encourages eligible South Africans to register to vote today ahead of the local government election in November. While speaking during the ANC’s voter registration push in Madibeng, outside Brits in the North West, Ramaphosa says all South Africans must get involved in the affairs of their country. He says many young people have raised the issue of lack of service delivery and job opportunities:

Meanwhile, the IFP also calls on every eligible South African who has not yet registered to vote to make use of the last day of the final Voter Registration Weekend, warning that this is the last opportunity to register before the voters’ roll closes. The IFP spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, says once the election date is officially proclaimed and published in the Government Gazette, voter registration will close. He says those who have not registered by then will not be eligible to vote in the local government elections.

# The Parliament Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries says the issue of governance challenges and improved performance by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme needs a serious debate in the country. This followed the allegation that the recently-appointed NSFAS Administrator Hlengani  Mathebula was living large on the NSFAS’s account at a time when challenges with students’ housing allowances have been reported in the media. The committee chairperson, Makhi Feni, says this is deeply concerning:

# Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, has welcomed a new agreement between four Southern Suburbs taxi associations, calling it a major win for commuters and an important step towards ending years of violence. The MEC says after a mediation process led by the department and the City of Cape Town, the Vrygrond, Retreat, Westlake and Steenberg taxi associations agreed to work together peacefully and share routes:

# Road running: The Comrades Marathon Association will officially go ahead with the 2027 race without Athletics South Africa or KwaZulu-Natal Athletics.  After a few months of spats, meetings and arguments, the CMA members voted on Saturday morning at a special general meeting to continue without affiliation to KZNA, particularly and ASA by association. This means the entire staging of the race will be dependent on the CMA and its board, including direct dealings with municipalities to gain access to roads on the proposed date of 13 June next year. The race will celebrate its centennial in 2027.

# US actor Vincent Pastore, who played Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in the hit show The Sopranos, has died aged 80. According to CBS News, Pastore was found at his home in the Bronx, New York City, and there was no indication of criminality. Pastore played Tony Soprano’s best friend who ultimately became an informant for the FBI. His character’s death in series two was one of the show’s most memorable storylines. Pastore was born in the Bronx in 1946. He enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War before embarking on a career in acting.

Stay tuned for more news………….