News 18:00

BULLETIN 6 June 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The new Parliament and president are to be installed following constitutional procedures
# Western leaders mark 80 years since the D-Day landings in Normandy 
# And soccer: Bafana arrives in Nigeria for a crucial World Cup qualifier after facing flight delays

# The Electoral Commission officially handed over the lists of elected National Assembly and provincial legislature members to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, judge Cagney Musi says this marks a significant milestone in the democratic process, ensuring a smooth transition of power within the mandated timeframe of 14-days after the election:

Meanwhile, metalworkers union Numsa says it strongly opposes the idea of a coalition between the ANC and the DA. Following the ANC’s loss of parliamentary majority, the union criticises the DA’s anti-worker policies, including cutting labour protections and subsidies. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola urges the ANC to partner with progressive parties to address unemployment, poverty, and inequality, threatening mass action if an ANC/DA coalition is formed:

# Western leaders today marked 80 years since the D-Day landings in northern France to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. It comes amidst the war that has now been raging for more than two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. US leader Joe Biden, King Charles of the UK and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to the immense sacrifices made by the tens of thousands of Allied troops on the sandy beaches and cliffs of Normandy. No Russian officials were present, despite the decisive Soviet contribution to defeating Nazism in World War Two.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana finally landed in Uyo, Nigeria, ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles tomorrow. The team was initially scheduled to arrive a day earlier, but faced flight delays from South Africa. The players were forced to spend the night in Port Harcourt after Uyo Airport had been closed. Coach Hugo Broos believes his side is well-prepared despite the travel issues. Bafana returns home to face Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. Only the group winners secure automatic World Cup qualification.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-97-cents and the euro at 20-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-23-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-133-dollars-79-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-363-dollars-7-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Eskom CEO Dan Marokane has dismissed suggestions that the utility is overly reliant on diesel-fueled turbines to avoid load-shedding. Addressing the South African National Energy Association’s annual general meeting, Marokane confirmed that South Africa hit 71 days without power cuts. He attributed the stabilisation to the Generation Recovery Plan executed by Eskom staff and aided by national Treasury’s 254-billion-rand debt relief. However, Marokane cautioned that ending load-shedding requires new private sector partnership and Eskom capacity. The CEO is marking his 100 days in office this week.

Stay tuned for more news………….