News 16:00

BULLETIN 6 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC is unbroken, undeterred, and advancing towards renewal
# The North West Premier calls for a probe after a 16-year-old gives birth to her second child
# And Motorsport: South African champions move into the lead at Dakar 2025

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party remains unbroken, undeterred, and advancing towards renewal as it marks its 113th anniversary. Ahead of the January 8th rally at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Western Cape, party president Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the annual statement, setting the party’s goals for the year. Mbalula told the media the event marks a call to action for unity, progress, and a commitment to a united and prosperous South Africa:

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa says the South African Communist Party has been a key pillar of support for the ANC throughout its history. Speaking at the Joe Slovo commemoration in Soweto, Gauteng, Ramaphosa acknowledged the SACP’s key role in strengthening the ANC during the apartheid struggle. Despite recent tensions and the SACP’s decision to contest elections independently, he emphasised that both parties remain vital allies, and need to work together for South Africa’s future:

# North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has called for urgent action after a 16-year-old girl gave birth to her second child on New Year’s Day, just two years after having her first child at 14. The girl’s first child’s father was a 15-year-old boy, while the father of her second child is reportedly a 35-year-old man. Mokgosi urged authorities to investigate the adult male and take legal action against those exploiting minors. The young mother, who dropped out of school, concealed her pregnancy and lacked prenatal care.

# Mozambique’s opposition leader, Venâncio Mondlane, is expected to return from self-imposed exile on Thursday potentially fuelling tensions following disputed elections. Protests since 21 October have disrupted trade routes and energy exports, causing economic contractions. Mondlane, in a live-streamed announcement, invited citizens to welcome him in Maputo, pledging to lead renewed demonstrations, vowing to intensify protests, heightening the political and economic crisis. He has also criticised the Southern African Development Community for delayed intervention.

# Motorsport: South African Rally Champions Henk Lategan and Brian Cummings have powered into the lead in Dakar 2025. The Made in SA Toyota Gazoo Hilux crew drove a tactical race to finish second in the 48-hour stage 2 behind local hero, Saudi Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk and in front of Qatari 5-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah and Frenchman Edouard Boulanger’s Dacia Sandrider to move ahead of Al-Rajhi and Al-Attiyah in the overall rankings.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 99-thousand-465-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-644-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….