News 16:00

BULLETIN 9 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Calls grow for the Coalition Bill to be finalised before the 2029 election
# The Madlanga Commission questions parts of Matlala’s ongoing investigations
# And rugby: Erasmus makes just two changes for the Test against France

# Calls are mounting for the proposed Coalition Bill to be finalised before the 2029 national and provincial elections, when further coalition governments are expected. This comes as political parties begin 14 days of negotiations following the local government elections. The bill, which seeks to extend coalition negotiation periods to 30-days and promote political stability, was expected to be adopted before last week’s municipal elections. However, disagreements between parties and inadequate public participation delayed its finalisation. Government confirmed a framework to give guidance on how to run municipalities.

# Madlanga Commission Commissioner Sesi Baloyi has questioned whether there is evidence that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is being investigated over his parliamentary testimony. This comes as Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Annelene van den Heever, opposes the use of his collapsed plea and sentence agreement with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. She argues that statements linked to the failed negotiations cannot be used as evidence, warning that doing so would violate her client’s rights:

# New Zealand’s two biggest political parties have suffered historic losses in Saturday’s election, as voters shifted support to smaller parties. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National Party and the opposition Labour Party both received less than 30 per cent of the vote for the first time. Preliminary results give Luxon’s three-party coalition a majority of just two seats, which could disappear when overseas and special votes are counted. Smaller parties are now better placed to influence government policy, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with established parties and their handling of economic pressures.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made only two changes to the team that beat Italy, opting for consistency ahead of Friday’s Test against France in Paris. Wilco Louw moves into the starting front row, replacing Thomas du Toit, who drops to the bench. Cobus Reinach takes the second change, joining the replacements in place of Grant Williams. The rest of the starting line-up remains unchanged, with Siya Kolisi captaining the side. Eben Etzebeth is not included in the match-23 after recently joining the squad.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 18-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-808-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-114-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-73-sents a barrel.

# And finally: Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Ivan Meyer announced Raymond Weels of Graham Beck Wines as the overall winner of the 2026 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards over the weekend, celebrating his journey from general worker to floor manager. The awards, running since 2002, honour outstanding agricultural workers across the Western Cape, promoting skills development and leadership. He said with over one-thousand-380 participants this year, the competition showcased dedication vital to food production:

Stay tuned for more news………….