News 11:00

BULLETIN 30 November 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Jacob Zuma appoints Thanti Mthanti as the MK party’s treasurer-general
# Load-shedding remains suspended for over eight months
# And, motorsport: Charles Leclerc sets the early pace for Ferrari at the Qatar Grand Prix

# MK party leader Jacob Zuma has named Thanti Mthanti as the party’s treasurer-general, succeeding Menzi Magubane. In a statement Zuma says that Mthanti, a longstanding member of the National High Command and Communications sub-committee chair, will assume duties as outlined by the party’s constitution. Additionally, Zuma appointed Nhlamulo Ndhlela as full-time national spokesperson, and now part of the top eight leadership. Zuma emphasised Ndhlela’s role in strengthening the party’s communication strategy and overall direction.

# Eskom has confirmed that its recovery plan has kept load-shedding suspended for 247 consecutive days since March 26, 2024. Spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says structural improvements in the coal-fired fleet have driven diesel savings of close to 18-billion-rand year-on-year, a 71-percent reduction. She says that with energy availability now at 63-percent, Eskom anticipates a load-shedding free summer as the power grid strengthens:

# Mangosuthu University of Technology is hosting the 2024 WIPO-SA Summer School on intellectual property and technology transfer. The programme, which runs until 6 December, unites global and African participants and equip them as professionals with tools to address Africa’s innovation gaps. The university’s deputy director Mandla Hlongwane emphasised the initiative’s role in fostering sustainable development and economic growth through intellectual property education. The programme is presented in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

# The World Food Programme has delivered the first batches of food in Zamzam refugee camp, in the Darfur region of Sudan. Spokesperson Leni Kinzli told Newzroom Afrika that 17-thousand-500 tons of food is being delivered to 14-critical hotspots in famine-stricken Sudan. She says that approximately 4.7-million children under the age of five, as well as breast feeding and pregnant women, are said to be suffering from acute malnutrition:

# And motorsport: Charles Leclerc demonstrated Ferrari’s potential for wrecking McLaren’s bid for a first title in 26 years when he topped the times ahead of Lando Norris in yesterday’s opening practice at the Qatar Grand Prix. Norris’ team mate Oscar Piastri was third fastest. Carlos Sainz was fourth in the second Ferrari. Newly-crowned four-time world champion Max Verstappen was down in 11th as Red Bull failed to show the pace they will need to mount a last-gasp bid to defend their teams’ title tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more news………….