News 11:00

BULLETIN 17 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA launches its election manifesto in Pretoria
# A Gauteng MEC condemns the killing of a Green Army team leader in Soweto
# And, tennis: Swiatek is gunning for her third Qatar Open title today

# The DA says its historic manifesto launch at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today underscores its historical importance and the transformative potential it holds for South Africa. The DA’s Ivan Meyer says the manifesto transcends mere promises; it is a meticulously researched, data-driven plan addressing the current crises facing the nation. The party now calls on president Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently announce the election date:

# Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, has condemned the killing of a 38-year-old Green Army team leader at Jabulani Hostel in Soweto. Mduduzi Mbense was leading a clean-up campaign yesterday at the hostel where he worked and lived. Hlope says the Green Army is an Expanded Public Works Programme established to deal with waste management and greening through clean-ups of illegal dumping and litter-picking:

# A survey shows eight in ten South African young people face a tough choice between job hunting and affording food due to high expenses. Youth Capital’s Beyond the Cost report has highlighted job search costs as a barrier to youth employment. Transport costs, notably taxis, drive up expenses, despite some relief from declining data costs. Project leader Kristal Duncan-Williams has suggested online interviews to mitigate financial burdens.

# Tennis: World number one Iga Swiatek of Poland is gunning for her third Qatar Open title today. She reached the final when Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic had to withdraw from their semifinal due to injury. Pliskova beat Naomi Osaka of Japan in the previous round. Swiatek is bidding to become the first woman to win a WTA tournament for three consecutive years since Serena Williams accomplished the feat in the Miami Open in 2015. She plays Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan for the title this afternoon.

# And finally: Beatles member Paul McCartney has been reunited with his 1961 Hofner bass guitar, stolen more than half a century ago. McCartney used the guitar in the recording of early hits such as Love Me Do, She Loves You and Twist and Shout. The bass was stolen in 1972 from a van used to transport equipment. It was found after an online campaign in the possession of a family in Hastings, southern England, who had inherited it.

Stay tuned for more news………….