News 12:00

BULLETIN 9 November 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula denies reports that Ramaphosa considers resigning following the ANC’s election results
# COSATU says the local government elections are a reflection of the country’s democracy
# And: NotInMyName urges ethical, people-centred leadership in coalition talks

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has dismissed suggestions president Cyril Ramaphosa was considering resigning following the party’s performance in the local government elections. The ANC’s national share of the vote dropped from 45.59-percent in 2021 to around 30.76-percent. Sunday Times reported Ramaphosa was willing to fall on his sword, and suggested the party’s National Executive Committee should also take responsibility for the electoral setback. Mbalula describes the reports as malicious:

# Union federation COSATU says the successful holding of the local government elections is a reflection of South Africa’s enduring constitutional democracy and political maturity. The elections saw an improved voter turnout of 52-percent from the 45.9-percent turnout recorded in 2021. COSATU’s Matthew Parks says stable, coherent and progressive coalitions that will be biased towards working-class communities must be put in place across municipalities, the overwhelming majority of which are hung municipalities:

# NotInMyName International urges political leaders engaged in coalition negotiations to prioritize ethical and people-centred leadership. Spokesperson Themba Masango reminds negotiators to serve the interests of all citizens fairly, and not political elites. He highlights the urgent needs for honesty and accountable governance focused on delivering services efficiently and equitably. Masango says citizens’ trust must not be used as a bargaining tool, but genuine leadership is needed now to fulfill the hope placed in elected officials.

# The suspected gunman who killed six people in a popular market square in Kraków, Poland, over the weekend, died in hospital today. The 24-year-old Polish national drove into the city’s main market square and started firing randomly, killing four women and two men. Sixteen people were injured, including two police officials. The gunman was shot and injured by police during the attack and was in critical condition in hospital. Officials say early investigations indicate he was inspired by far-right ideologies. Polish prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation.

# Golf: Two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau wouldn’t give details of his plans after leaving LIV Golf, but says he doesn’t regret joining the breakaway league. LIV announced last week that it was shutting down after being unable to secure financial backing. The American was probably the highest-profile player to join the lucrative league in 2022. De Chambeau says it was wonderful to play in front of crowds who rarely get to see the world’s best players at home, and believed LIV could reach more people in a new way.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-48-cents and the euro at 18-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-80-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-94-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-47-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….