News 13:00

BULLETIN 14 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A political analyst calls Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s retirement ahead of elections a blow to the ANC
# COSATU calls on the ANC to improve workers’ rights
# And, soccer: Hosts Ivory Coast well on their way in Africa Cup of Nations

# Political analyst Benzi Ka-Soko says the ANC should be concerned about the latest decisions by senior members of the party. Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s 112th birthday celebrations, Ka-Soko highlighted the retirement announcement of ANC national executive council member and minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as a potential wake-up call for the party.  Ka-Soko notes the uncertainty surrounding Dlamini-Zuma’s future in the political arena:

Earlier, Congress of South African Trade Unions president Zingiswa Losi has said the ANC owes public servants following unfulfilled agreements. Addressing the ANC’s 112th anniversary celebrations in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, Losi highlighted concern about public sector workers being short-changed in salaries and the need to fill vacant posts, especially in healthcare and the police. She calls for the rollout of the infrastructure programme with the implementation of proper timeframes. Losi also called on president Cyril Ramaphosa to implement the two-pot pension fund system from 1 March:

# The health and allied workers’ union Nehawu has filed papers at the Labour Court against Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu for alleged nepotism. The application questions the appointment of Linton Mchunu as acting Social Development director-general. In August 2023, Zulu faced accusations of nepotism for reportedly adjusting appointment criteria to favour Mchunu. Nehawu contends Mchunu’s reappointment is unlawful and contravenes public service regulations regarding the duration of an acting position.

# Soccer:  Ivory Coast claimed all three points in their Group A encounter in their Cup of Nations opener last night. Seko Fofana’s stunning early goal set the hosts on the way to a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau as the tournament kicked off, in a game attended by around 38-thousand people. Jean-Philippe Krasso added the hosts’ other goal. Bafana Bafana returns to the tournament after failing to qualify two years ago. They play their first game on Tuesday, when they face Mali.

# And finally: Denmark turns a page today when queen Margrethe abdicates and her 55-year-old son becomes king Frederik the Tenth. More than 100-thousand Danes are expected to turn out for the unprecedented event. Reuters reports the hugely popular 83-year-old queen will leave her residence at Copenhagen’s Amalienborg Palace this afternoon for a short carriage ride to Christiansborg Palace, the seat of government and parliament, where she will sign a declaration of abdication. It will end her 52-year reign, only the second time a Danish sovereign steps down.

Stay tuned for more news…………