News 11:00

BULLETIN 2 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA is concerned about the immediate reinstatement of rolling power cuts
# A political analyst thinks the ANC is likely to remain in power
# And, the Shelly Point Hotel and Spa in St Helena Bay on fire

# The DA says the immediate reinstatement of rolling power cuts today is an omen that the power crisis may hit businesses, workers and consumers even harder over the coming year than before. The party says decades of ANC corruption and mismanagement are the root causes of the collapse of South Africa’s electricity system. The DA’s Samantha Graham-Maré says the ANC sits at the heart of every crisis South Africans face, from load-shedding to unemployment, to the cost of living and shocking rates of violent crime:

# Although South Africa’s seventh general election is the most uncertain for the ANC, they most likely will remain in power. Political analyst Daniel Silke says even in worst-case scenarios, the ANC is at 45-percent. Silke thinks the big issue is clearly load-shedding and if the energy crisis remains as it is, it will be the major impediment to the ANC reaching 50-percent of the vote. According to the latest poll by market research organisation, Ipsos, 43-percent of registered voters are likely to support the ANC.

# The minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, has expressed his sadness at the passing of distinguished photographer and anti-apartheid activist Peter Magubane. The 91-year-old passed away yesterday. Recognised as one of South Africa’s most distinguished photojournalists, Magubane covered the most historic moments in the liberation struggle against apartheid. The ministry’s spokesperson, Litha Mpondwana says these include the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, the Rivonia Trial in 1964, and the Soweto uprising in 1976:

# West Coast Medical Rescue is currently on the scene of a structural fire at the Shelley Point Hotel and Spa in St Helena Bay. The fire seems to have started at around seven this morning in one of the restaurants and quickly spread through the thatch-roofed building. The fire is raging out of control and has destroyed a large part of the building. Saldanha Bay firefighters are working tirelessly to battle the flames that are driven by a strong wind. Residents were urged to avoid the area and keep a clear way for emergency vehicles.

# Soccer: Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool beat Newcastle United four-two to open up a three-point lead at the top of the English Premier League. Liverpool top the table ahead of Aston Villa, with defending champions Manchester City a further two points back with Arsenal. Salah’s first strike was his 150th Premier League goal for the Reds and manager Jurgen Klopp praised his performance:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-31-cents and the euro at 20-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 45-thousand-355-dollars-2-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-75-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….