News 13:00

BULLETIN 2 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa calls for the immediate release of the Global Sumud Flotilla delegates
# COPE accuses the ANC of obstructing urgent and long-overdue electoral reform
# And tennis: Gaël Monfils plans to retire at the end of next season

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the government of Israel to release South Africans and other nationals abducted as part of Israeli authorities’ interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The president’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the flotilla comprises humanitarian vessels seeking to deliver aid to Gaza. He says South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moola, while confirmation is pending on the abduction of Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.

# COPE is calling for the adoption of a constituency-based electoral system that will strengthen the direct relationship between voters and their elected representatives. The party has accused the ANC and its allies of sabotaging the country’s constitutional democracy by obstructing urgent and long-overdue electoral reform. COPE’s Pakes Dikgetsi says the current closed-list proportional representation model is an outdated system that shields members of Parliament from accountability and entrenches the ANC’s grip on power.

# The United Democratic Movement says it has lodged a formal complaint against controversial media figure Ngizwe Mchunu with the South African Human Rights Commission. The 44-year-old is facing criticism after he posted a video of himself online making derogatory remarks after photos of a gay couple getting married in traditional attire went viral. UDM’s Yongama Zigede says instead of advancing unity, Mchunu’s words attempt to drag the country backwards into division and hate:

# Tennis: Veteran Frenchman Gaël Monfils plans to retire at the end of next year. The 39-year-old former world number six has won 13 ATP Tour titles throughout his career, the last in Auckland, New Zealand, in January, almost two decades after his first in Poland in 2005. Monfils reached two Grand Slam finals; the French Open in 2008 and the US Open eight years later. The popular player says he cherished the privilege of turning his passion into a profession all through his career of 21 years.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 20-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-741-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-876-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-15-cent a barrel.

# And finally: Stellenbosch University has inaugurated professor Deresh Ramjugernath as its 13th rector and vice-chancellor. The ceremony, attended by academic, government, and civil society leaders, was described as a defining moment for the institution. In his inaugural address, Ramjugernath pledged to drive holistic transformation, inclusivity, and authentic restitution in higher education. He outlined eight strategic pillars that will shape the university’s future, emphasising African-centred excellence, innovation, and societal impact:

Stay tuned for more news………….