News 8:00

BULLETIN 21 March 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy President Mashatile to lead the national commemoration of Human Rights Day in Eastern Cape
# Ramaphosa rejects the Cape Independence Advocacy’s US secession bid
# And soccer: Bafana Bafana in crucial match against Lesotho in World Cup qualifier

# Deputy President Paul Mashatile is leading the national commemoration of Human Rights Day in the Eastern Cape today. The celebrations start at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium, Kariega, at 9 am with a wreath laying ceremony. Human Rights Commemorative events this year are held under the theme “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights”. Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by senior government officials including the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Premier of the Eastern Cape Province, Oscar Mabuyane.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly rejects the Cape Independence Advocacy group’s planned trip to Washington DC to seek the Western Cape’s separation from South Africa. He emphasised that the country’s constitutional democracy, established in 1994, upholds unity and non-racialism. In a media briefing, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya called on all citizens to focus on building a better South Africa through dialogue and policies that foster social cohesion and equality, despite global challenges:

# South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago says losing African Growth and Opportunity Act trade benefits could hurt the economy. He warns it may weaken exports, slow growth, and put pressure on the rand. If US tariffs are added, the impact could be worse, leading to higher inflation and stricter monetary policy. Kganyago urges economic reforms and stable policies to protect trade and financial stability:

# Russian and US officials will hold talks on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Donald Trump spoke to both Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky this week and the US is also due to hold talks with Kyiv in the coming days. President Vladimir Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov says the delegations are due to discuss “initiatives” that Putin and Trump spoke about regarding the Black Sea.

# And, soccer: Bafana Bafana, currently second in their World Cup qualifying group with seven points, face Lesotho in a crucial match at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane tonight. If they win, they will go top of their group. On Sunday the team travels to meet Benin in Abidjan on Tuesday. Victories against Lesotho and Benin would bring South Africa closer to qualifying for the World Cup to be played in Mexico, Canada and the US next year. Kickoff in Polokwane is at 6pm.

Stay tuned for more news………….