News 13:00

BULLETIN 5 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Justice Madlanga warns Constitutional rights are not yet a reality for all
# Western Cape taxi associations sign a peace and ceasefire agreement
# And, the UN votes to adopt a new world map to reflect Africa’s true size

# Retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga says millions of South Africans are yet to fully experience the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Speaking at the Rabinowitz Lecture at the University of Cape Town, Madlanga pointed to persistent inequality, concerns over justice and accountability, and challenges within state institutions. He emphasised that urgent action is needed to make constitutional rights a reality in citizens’ daily lives:

# National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has rejected the MK Party’s call to remove RISE Mzansi Member of Parliament Makashule Gana as chair of Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee. MK parliamentary leader John Hlophe argued Gana could not be impartial because his party is part of the Government of National Unity. Gana was elected 19 votes to 12, following nominations by the ANC and DA. Didiza says she has no power to overturn the committee’s vote. Gana remains chair as the Phala Phala inquiry continues. 

# DA Emfuleni mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala says residents have suffered for too long under failing municipal services. Chabalala says the municipality continues to face prolonged power outages, water cuts, pothole-ridden roads and illegal dumping. He has pledged to get Emfuleni working for all residents, with his campaign focusing on restoring basic services, improving infrastructure and strengthening accountable local government:

# The Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association have signed a peace and ceasefire agreement aimed at ending disputes between the two taxi associations. The deal follows government-led mediation, with both parties committing to resolve future disagreements through established channels. The South African National Taxi Council Western Cape has welcomed the agreement, calling it a landmark moment for the province’s taxi industry. The organisations have also agreed to prioritise the safety of commuters and taxi operators and prevent conflict from escalating.

And now news from abroad:

# The UN General Assembly has voted to replace the traditional world map with one that more accurately reflects the size of Africa. The “Correct the Map” resolution, backed by members of the African Union, passed with the support of 164 nations, including France and the UK. The US was the only nation to vote against it – while there were six abstentions. The UN vote is non-binding but will see changes to the maps used by institutions around the world. The previous map showed Africa as similar in size to Greenland, while it is 14 times larger.

# And finally, Golf: Christiaan Bezuidenhout will be the only South African participating in this month’s President’s Cup in Illinois in the US. The tournament sees the International Team taking on the American Team on the Medinah Country Club from the 22nd. International will be captained by Australian Geoff Ogilvy, while other players include New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, South Korea’s Tom Kim, and Canadians Nick Taylor and Corey Connors. America, captained by Brandt Snedeker, includes world number one, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele.

Stay tuned for more news………….