welcome to the programme. we start this hour with the latest on the uk general election. the leader of the scottish national party, john swinney, has launched his party's campaign ahead of the vote onjuly the 4th. at an election rally in glasgow, mr swinney pushed for independence, celebrated his party's record on fighting the cost of living as well as attacking both the conservatives and labour. he said people in scotland wanted rid of a "disastrous" tory government, and he accused labour of "giving an awfully good impression" of them. let's take a listen to some of what the snp leader said. look, there are some people telling me to forget about independence at this election. but you know what? after looking at sir keir starmer�*s serial u—turns in the pursuit of power, i think people are crying out for political leadership that sticks to its principles... applause ..for leaders who argue for what they believe in. and i passionately believe independence is the best opportunity we have to build a more prosperous and a fairer country. john swinney launching the snp's general election campaign and staying with the election, labour says it is committed to reducing levels of net migration if they perform the next government. but speaking earlier, the shadow home secretary yvette cooper refused to set a target or any date by which a reduction would be achieved. net migration, the difference between the number of people arriving in the uk and leaving, stood at 685,000 last year. labour's plans include more apprenticeships in jobs that are currently reliant on a significant level of migrant workers. -- if —— if they form the next government. here's our political correspondent, ione wells. immigration is a sticky issue in this election campaign. the two major parties say they want to control it without leaving the economy short of key skilled workers like this, from construction to care work. labour says it would train more uk workers to fill skills shortages and it says firms that pay exploitative wages would be banned from hiring foreign workers. but labour have not put a figure on how much they would reduce it by, or a timeframe for when. i know that you're effectively trying to suggest i set a target or a broad target — i'm not going to do that. we are going to be clear — net migration must come down, we believe it's really important and what keir has set out is commitments that we will bring net migration down. the conservatives and the liberal democrats have announced their own separate policies. now, with this announcement today, it seems that they are copying - and pasting policies that - are already in place, so we have tried through the introduction - of salary thresholds and increasing the salary thresholds, we have seen already| a real impact on legal migration because we understand that there is a balancing act - between attracting the brightest. and the best to the united kingdom but doing so in a way- that we are able to deal with. net migration is forecast to fall anyway in the next coming years — what is critically important from the liberal democrats' point of view is that we actually start to pay our care workers properly and that is why we are pledging to give them an increased minimum wage, £2 higher than the minimum wage for other sectors, and only by doing that, by investing in our care workers here in our domestic workforce, can we reduce the demand for foreign workers to come and fill those vacancies. the snp have accused labour and the conservatives of blaming migrants rather than the westminster government for the country's problems. and reform uk have proposed a tax on businesses employing overseas workers. labour intend this announcement to firmly park their tanks on the conservatives' lawn. with legal migration numbers sky—high, it is set to be a key issue in this campaign. ione wells, bbc news. the conservatives have said they want to build 100 new gp surgeries and 50 community diagnostic centres in an effort to increase appointments and reduce the pressure on a&e services. the health secretary, victoria atkins, said it would be funded by cutting the number of nhs managers. she outlined the policy on this morning's laura kuenssberg programme. i want and am reforming our national health service to be faster, simpler and fairer, and one of the ways we are doing this, you are right, is to build new gp practices. we also want to ensure that we bring health care closer into our communities. if we can have the most basic conditions treated in pharmacies, then of course that frees up gp appointment times. since the conservatives have been in charge there have been many closures of gp surgeries, there have been many closures of pharmacies. of course there will be churn around england with a population of 55 million. a50 is a bit more than churn. but what we are doing with this is building, as i say, new gp practices so that we can offer even more appointments than we already are doing. the liberal democrats are also focusing on health today as our political correspondent tony bonsignore explained to me earlier. the lib dems promising to spend an extra £1 billion a year on what is known as the public health grant. this is money given to local councils to spend on public health. they say this will reverse real terms cuts to that grant over the past decade and it will be spent on things like health checks for a0 to 74—year—olds, health visits for infants and their mothers, and also wider access to blood pressure tests. the lib dems say it will be funded by a clampdown on tax avoidance and it would reduce pressure on the nhs by preventing people becoming ill in the first place. now, on the conservatives' policy proposal which you have just heard from victoria atkins, the lib dems accuse the government of already failing on promises to train more doctors, to build more hospitals. they also point out that hundreds of community pharmacies have already closed in recent years. labour, meanwhile, is calling it the latest empty promise from the conservatives. let's get more on the scottish first minister launching the snp's election campaign and speak to katie hunter who listen to his speech and it was a tax on both labour and the conservatives and the independence' message as well.— message as well. yes, there were some key themes _ message as well. yes, there were some key themes to _ message as well. yes, there were some key themes to john - message as well. yes, there were i some key themes to john swinney's some key themes tojohn swinney's speech this afternoon, firstly talking about the snp's record in government and the snp has in been in power in holyrood for 17 years and he wants to talk up their achievements in holyrood but attacks there on the conservatives' records in westminster and he at once point described them as a disastrous and chaotic tory government but he also took a swipe at labour and said that labour weren't the same as the conservatives but were doing an awfully good impression of the tories and independence was a key theme running through this speech and john swinney said he passionately believes in independence and every time independence and every time independence was mentioned in that room which was full of candidates and activists, there were huge cheers, but i thinkjohn swinney was also attempting to speak to people beyond that room, two voters he will have to attract if he wants to win this general election in scotland. katie hunter live in glasgow, thank you. and remember you can keep across the latest from the campaign trail on our live page on the bbc news website — we've got updates and analysis from our correspondents across the country. you can also find it on the bbc news app. and you can also find it on the bbc website. to south africa next, where the ruling anc says it's willing to talk to all political parties to create a coalition government — after it lost its parliamentary majority in the elections for the first time in 30 years. but it says president cyril rampaphosa will not step down as part of any deal. let's cross live to my colleague catherine byaruhanga who is at the counting centre injohannesburg. i want to show you some of the pictures of the scene in south africa and you can see, your democracy, own it, and this is where the election result will be officially announced a bit later and as we said, we know that the anc vote has collapsed in south africa and is means that for the first time since apartheid in 1994, they won't have a majority in parliament. letters cross live to catherine the arrow hangar who has at the boat counting centre where it will be announced injohannesburg so we are now heading for cover lycian talks. yes, the pictures they were showing there was the playing and singing of there was the playing and singing of the national anthem at the operation centre and now the announcement is under way and the event to announce the full results from wednesday's elections should happen any moment now. —— catherine of byaruhanga. we had president cyril ramaphosa walk—through into the hall and is the first time many people would have seen them after wednesday, when he went to cast his vote when the elections were happening. what we expect now is that the african national congress party will lose its majority with this announcement and it is expected to get around 40% of the votes. there are some opposition parties which are challenging these results and they have raised objections, but the independent electoral commission still insists these are free and fair elections and the government of cyril ramaphosa agrees with the electoral commission and so this will go ahead and we will of course be bringing you much more of that as it unfolds here just outside of johannesburg. it unfolds here “ust outside of johannesburg.— it unfolds here “ust outside of johannesburg. it unfolds here “ust outside of johannesburu. . , ., johannesburg. catherine, “ust on the timescale, johannesburg. catherine, “ust on the timescale. newt johannesburg. catherine, “ust on the timescale, how quickly _ johannesburg. catherine, just on the timescale, how quickly does - johannesburg. catherine, just on the timescale, how quickly does a - timescale, how quickly does a government have to be formed in south africa?— south africa? while, once these announcements _ south africa? while, once these announcements are _ south africa? while, once these announcements are declared - south africa? while, once these announcements are declared as| south africa? while, once these i announcements are declared as we expect them to be any moment now, it sets off a timeframe. there has to be the first sitting of parliament within 14 days, and at first sitting, the president of south africa will be elected by members of parliament, so what we will have here today is also the allocation of seats to different parties which will give us a sense of who will constitute the parliament and unfortunately the anc will not have enough mps in parliament to elect presidents cyril ramaphosa once again as president of south africa so that means we are now going through a process over the next two weeks of horse trading negotiations between different parties for the anc to make up those numbers crucially and parliament in order to not only elect the president but also to carry out government business. also to carry out government business-— also to carry out government business. , ., . ~ ., . business. the democratic alliance came second _ business. the democratic alliance came second and _ business. the democratic alliance came second and i _ business. the democratic alliance came second and i know- business. the democratic alliance came second and i know their - business. the democratic alliance i came second and i know their leader has been making a pitch to work with the anc. how crucial will be democratic alliance be? it the anc. how crucial will be democratic alliance be? it all comes down to the — democratic alliance be? it all comes down to the maths _ democratic alliance be? it all comes down to the maths and _ democratic alliance be? it all comes down to the maths and the - democratic alliance be? it all comes| down to the maths and the numbers. what the anc and the democratic alliance say is that they want a stable government, and so we are expecting the democratic alliance to get around 21% of the seats so if you add that up with the anc�*s 40%, they would have a stable form of government but the challenge for both parties is that they have been at loggerheads between each other for many years and they come from different political spectrums, so aligning their policies is not going to be easy, but you also have other opposition parties who are interested in forming a coalition with the anc. you have dubious minima's eff, and julius mel emma spoke yesterday and said he was open to negotiations with the ruling party so that shows that even though the democratic alliance and a anc good form a stable government, there announcement and the fact they look at each other as enemies and have done so for many years will make that difficult. —— julius malema. and the new mk party led by former presidentjacob zuma looks like it will be in first place but he has said he refuses to rule where presidents cyril ramaphosa about the anc is saying that president cyril ramaphosa is going nowhere. —— but the anc. ramaphosa is going nowhere. -- but the anc. , ., , ramaphosa is going nowhere. -- but theanc. , i, , , c, the anc. this really points to the ersonal the anc. this really points to the personal feud _ the anc. this really points to the personal feud between _ the anc. this really points to the personal feud between the - the anc. this really points to the | personal feud between the former presidentjacob zuma and cyril ramaphosa and you will remember jacob zuma was president of south africa from 2009 to 2018 but during that time he was dogged by numerous corruption scandals and there was a process called state capture in which journalists here in process called state capture in whichjournalists here in south africa uncovered rampant corruption in the country and he has been blamed by the commission of overseeing that so—called states capture and he was then removed from office and he believes that cyril ramaphosa was behind those efforts that succeeded in removing him from office and remember he also served a short prison sentence for failing to testify in front of the commission that was looking at all those corruption allegations and so that is a better history between the two men which sits at the heart of the politics we are looking at today and the former president says he is willing to negotiate with the anc as long as it removes cyril ramaphosa as its head but we have heard from the powerful secretary general of the powerful secretary general of the anc saying that is not a fought negotiation with any of the opposition parties. catherine byaruhanga _ opposition parties. catherine byaruhanga live _ opposition parties. catherine byaruhanga live in _ opposition parties. catherine - byaruhanga live in johannesburg, thank byaruhanga live injohannesburg, thank you for the moment and we are expecting the result in the next half an hour or so and we will go back tojohannesburg when we get that official announcement from the electoral officials there. voting is taking place in mexico in an election which is almost certain to result in the country's first female president. the frontrunner, claudia sheinbaum, and her main rival, xochitl galvez, are well ahead of the only male candidate in opinion polls. ms sheinbaum, who is a former mayor of mexico city, has the backing of the outgoing president. this campaign has been the most violent the country's seen in recent times. 0ur mexico correspondent, will grant has been telling us more. there have been candidates killed right up to voting day itself, one killed in the city of matamoros just a couple of days ago, just a day ago. 0n the day of closing the campaign, as one candidate was taking the stage to close his campaign, to address his supporters, in a final plea for votes, he was murdered, shot in the back of the head by a gunman in the state of guerrero. so yes, it has just been a very, very bloody, bloodstained election and i think illustrative of the size of the task that faces the next president, expected to be one of those two women that you mentioned, claudia sheinbaum or xochitl galvez. the key thing i think for most people is the idea that security is tackled to some degree, improvements seen in the fight against the drug cartels. you mentioned how bloody it has been. does that mean people are concerned about actually going to vote? i assume security is quite tight. there is one tactic that is used by the cartels, which is sort of posting gunmen and thugs outside polling stations. that happens in some of the hinterlands and the small villages where they are really fully under cartel control. so there's constant intimidation. it is notjust the murder of candidates which is obviously the most sort of visceral version of what is going on, but it is the constant sort of intimidation, threats, fear, the sowing of fear among the electorate. will grant reporting from mexico city. let's turn to the middle east now, where two key right—wing members of israel's coalition government have threatened to bring it down if the prime minister agrees to the latest peace deal offer. earlier we spoke to our middle east correspondent, hugo bachega, and i started by asking how serious this threat was from these right wing—ministers. it's no surprise that these two far—right ministers have expressed their opposition to this deal. so the national security minister, itamar ben—gvir, called this proposal that was announced by president biden on friday as reckless and he said it would be a victory for terrorism. the finance minister said the war must continue. again, he said he would not accept any kind of deal before hamas is completely destroyed. and now they are threatening to quit the coalition government and this could lead to the collapse of the netanyahu government. now, what is interesting is that yesterday, and i think knowing that these two ministers would oppose this deal, the head of the opposition in parliament said that if these ministers do go ahead with these resignations, his party would be giving support to the government of prime minister neta nyahu in parliament. it was an important intervention there, but it is interesting that this is something that prime minister netanyahu is trying to avoid because yair lapid, the head of the main opposition party in particular, is somebody who has been extremely critical of the prime minister, of his leadership in the war, so i'm sure the prime minister is trying to avoid having to rely on the opposition. it is interesting that we haven't heard from the prime minister yet since the reaction from these two ministers. and so far since the proposal was announced by president biden on friday we have had only two very short statements from the prime minister's office, vague statements. he hasn't embraced the deal, he hasn't explicitly said that he supports the deal, but he also hasn't expressed his denial or rejection of the deal. so we are still waiting to hear what the prime minister has to say and hear a clear position from binyamin netanyahu, but obviously he is under a lot of political pressure, not only from these far—right ministers who support his government, but also from other members of his government. we arejust we are just hearing that relatives of hostages being held in gaza are gathering outside thejerusalem office of benjamin netanyahu, urging him to achieve a peace deal. we will have more on that later. the ukrainian president has accused china of prolonging the war in his country by supporting russia. volodymyr zelensky said beijing was not only refusing to take part in a planned summit in switzerland later this month, but was trying to prevent others from attending. china has denied taking sides in the war. president zelensky was speaking at the shangri la security gathering in singapore, which was attended by senior officials from around the world including the us defence secretary, lloyd austin. 0ur correspondent suranjana tewari was at the summit and has more. ukraine's president desperately needs help to forge his path to peace. the russian offensive in kharkiv has battered the northeast of the country for weeks. glide bombs fired by aircraft in russian airspace pummeling ukrainian trenches. the us is helping kyiv fight back with advanced weaponry, but it's concerned about escalation and has restricted their use to targets inside ukraine. president zelensky complains his hands are tied. pressure in washington has been building. finally, in a meeting with us secretary of defence lloyd austin, a change in policy was made official, but zelensky told the bbc it's still insufficient. translation: is this enough? no. i've mentioned an example before the air force from which russia bombs ukraine, knowing that ukraine won't be on the response. we don't have the systems to do so. is this enough? no. i've mentioned an example before. the air fields from which russia bombs ukraine, knowing that ukraine won't bomb them in response. we don't have the systems to do so. could asia provide what he needs? he was hoping to drum up support by making an unscheduled visit to the shangri—la dialogue in singapore, asia's premier defence summit. south korea and japan are big arms and hardware manufacturers, after all. but the focus for zelensky was a peace conference, which he hopes will prevent nuclear disaster, ensure food security and release prisoners of war, including ukrainian children held in russia. he says 106 countries have already signed up. president zelensky has been holding meetings here all day to drum up even more support for that peace conference in switzerland later this month. his departure was far more muted than his arrival when delegates packed the lobby and balconies for more than an hour. some compared it to taylor swift's recent visit. that did overshadow the issues in asia. many countries are worried that china's increasingly aggressive behaviour is destabilizing the region. beijing is a concern for zelensky too. he said there were elements of russia's weaponry that come from china and has accused it of prolonging the war by supporting russia. in a morning speech which was eclipsed by excitement for zelensky�*s address, china's defence chief denied taking sides. asked if he had met dong jun here, zelensky said no and accused beijing of undermining his peace conference. translation: it is very - unfortunate that such a big, independent, powerful countries, china is an instrument in the hands of putin. putin zelensky was the man of the moment amidst a sea of security dilemmas in the indo—pacific. it's the latest diplomatic push for a leader who has become accustomed to begging the world for help. now he returns home to the war and a peace conference he hopes can break the deadlock on his terms. china has slanted an unmanned spacecraft on the far side of the moon for the second time and this mission is difficult because this region of the moon permanently faces away from the earth which makes medications difficult and it is expected to use a mechanical arm to collect rock and soil and hopefully transport them back to earth. —— makes communications difficult. this week marks the 80th anniversary of the d—day landings, and as part of the commemorations a mass parachute drop has taken place over normandy. those who took partjumped from world war two era planes into the now peaceful skies as part of the commemorations. 0n the 6th ofjune 1944, troops from the uk, the us, canada and france attacked german forces on the coast of northern france. it marked the start of the campaign to liberate nazi—occupied north—west europe. normandy survivors were among those who gathered to watch the parachute jump. ijust want i just want to take you to a couple of sets of live pictures and let's first go to the middle east and jerusalem and i mentioned a protest outside thejerusalem office of israel's's prime minister benjamin netanyahu and these are relatives of the hostages held in gaza urging him to accept a deal with hamas and i can also take you to south africa where we are expecting the results from the election to be announced very shortly and we will bring you them live on bbc news. hello there. high pressure to the west of the uk has brought most areas a dry weekend. we did see more cloud though work into scotland and northern ireland through the day. at the same time sunday saw much more in the way of sunshine for central and eastern england and lighter winds too. that had a very significant impact in the temperatures. for some, it was seven degrees warmer on sunday than it had been on saturday. and the temperatures topped out at about 23 degrees in one or two spots as well. that was the scene in poole in dorset, with beach—goers enjoying the warm june sunshine but cloudy skies worked in across stirling. now, overnight tonight, the cloud we've got in scotland and northern ireland, thick enough for occasional spots of rain will push southwards. so overall it's going to be turning cloudier through the night and given that it's a milder night compared with last night, lows of between ten and 13 degrees for most of us. tomorrow, well, we start off with cloudy skies for northern ireland, western parts of england, wales with a cloud thick enough for an occasional spot of drizzle, maybe one or two mist and fog patches for coastal hills too. through the day, the cloud may well thin and break, particularly to the east of high ground to allow some sunny spells through. and we should see some sunshine developing in scotland through the day with just a few showers across the far north. where thejune sunshine comes out, temperatures — high teens to low 20s. that should feel quite pleasant, but it will feel less pleasant as we head into tuesday and wednesday. low pressure to the north of the uk is going to be sending much colder airourway. and so with that, we'll see rain or showers across the northern half of the uk in particular, chilly winds here, and with the downpours working in, particularly for scotland, quite a few of these will have hail and thunder mixed in. a few showers developing further south. now, temperatures still doing 0k across england and wales, but it's going to be turning quite chilly for scotland and northern ireland, particularly in those brisk and gusty winds. and it's a very similar looking weather picture for wednesday. showers and thunderstorms, again, some with hail across the northern half of the uk. the driest weather across a good part of wales, the midlands, east anglia and southern parts of england. temperatures — high teens to low 20s, will feel 0k across england and wales, but still chilly for scotland and northern ireland with those brisk winds. and there's no great change in that weather pattern. it stays cool and showery for scotland and northern ireland, england and wales having the best of the dry and sunny weather. i want to take you back life to johannesburg in south africa because we are _ johannesburg in south africa because we are expecting the result of the election_ we are expecting the result of the election to be formally announced. you can— election to be formally announced. you can see — election to be formally announced. you can see the chairperson of the electoral commission on stage. we know we are heading for coalition talks in south africa as the ruling anc, once led by nelson mandela, has been hit by its worst election result since apartheid ended 30 years ago. it will not have an overall majority for the first time since 1994. the centre—right democratic alliance is the second—largest party. we expect them to have around 22% of the vote. the new mk party led by the former presidentjacob zuma is in third place with 15%. it has refused to work with current president cyril ramaphosa. there's election results are expected to be announced formally very shortly. we will go back life tojohannesburg. let's listen into it now. the back life to johannesburg. let's listen into it now.— listen into it now. the 2024... 2019. . . listen into it now. the 2024. .. 2019- -- i _ listen into it now. the 2024... 2019... | come _ listen into it now. the 2024... 2019... i come back, - listen into it now. the 2024... 2019... i come back, i- listen into it now. the 2024... 2019... i come back, i come i listen into it now. the 2024... - 2019... i come back, i come back. i truly want to tell you that there were times when you never knew what day of the week it was, but we are over. south africa, now it is the opportunity that we offer and honour with profound humility, as we announce the 19 elections we have just concluded and their results. these results represent the collective voice of our nation, men and women across all strata of society, standing one with another in the queues and in fact going through this electoral process and knowing that that was a badge of honour that everyone had to be adorned with. and so, ladies and gentlemen, these are the results that represent the collective voices of our nation. we do so, as we start with the provincial legislature results. and now i present those results. and now i present those results on the board for you. thank you, thank you, thank you. so there you can see each of the provinces are going to be announced. the anc there with 28. let's bring in my colleague who is at the centre where this result is being announced. just explain what is going on, how many of these provincial results we will see. exactly, ijust have to provincial results we will see. exactly, i just have to tell provincial results we will see. exactly, ijust have to tell you that we have people out with their mobile phones taking pictures of the screen right here because right now we are getting a sense of the division of power between the parties in different provinces. remember, there are nine provinces in south africa. some of the most bitterly contested our course on et al. where the former presidentjacob zuma is from and where his stronghold is and where he has taken away a lot of the votes from the anc. gauteng is where we are now, which includesjohannesburg, the richest province in south africa. we are seeing some of the seats coming up. i can tell you the mood here is tense, everyone is quiet and just watching those numbers on the screen. thisjoining me is a south african political analyst. describe why everybody is so intrigued about what is happening right now. remember, as we have been looking at the leaderboards displayed here we do know— the leaderboards displayed here we do know what exactly that means in terms _ do know what exactly that means in terms of _ do know what exactly that means in terms of the actual number of seats. what _ terms of the actual number of seats. what everybody is now sitting and hanging _ what everybody is now sitting and hanging tight on is to check, did i miscalculate? do i really have a seat? _ miscalculate? do i really have a seat? i — miscalculate? do i really have a seat? i suppose the big one will be the national assembly when it comes through— the national assembly when it comes through because it is going to tell us how— through because it is going to tell us how many political parties are going _ us how many political parties are going to — us how many political parties are going to be there. the previous parliament had 14 political parties, the largest number of parties we have _ the largest number of parties we have seen— the largest number of parties we have seen since 1994. of course, there _ have seen since 1994. of course, there is_ have seen since 1994. of course, there is a — have seen since 1994. of course, there is a new formula that is going to be _ there is a new formula that is going to be used — there is a new formula that is going to be used because there were three ballot _ to be used because there were three ballot papers, the original with independent candidates, so those changes— independent candidates, so those changes will be translated into actuat— changes will be translated into actual seats and that is what really matters _ actual seats and that is what really matters. and that will give the nature — matters. and that will give the nature of— matters. and that will give the nature of the split, particularly for those — nature of the split, particularly for those provinces were no single party _ for those provinces were no single party has — for those provinces were no single party has a — for those provinces were no single party has a decisive majority like dowding — party has a decisive majority like dowding and was a natal and in the northern— dowding and was a natal and in the northern cape, but definitely nationally. we northern cape, but definitely nationally-— northern cape, but definitely nationall . ~ ., , ., ., nationally. we are still waiting for the final, national— nationally. we are still waiting for the final, national tally. - nationally. we are still waiting for the final, national tally. they - nationally. we are still waiting forl the final, national tally. they have gone through most of the provinces now. the electoral commission is showing the summary. explain as everyone waits here, the mood is tense here. how significant is this moment for south africa? the tense here. how significant is this moment for south africa? the mood is t in: to moment for south africa? the mood is trying to savour— moment for south africa? the mood is trying to savour the _ moment for south africa? the mood is trying to savour the moment. - moment for south africa? the mood is trying to savour the moment. i - moment for south africa? the mood is trying to savour the moment. i have i trying to savour the moment. i have tried to _ trying to savour the moment. i have tried to speak to a number of different— tried to speak to a number of different party leaders and people are quite — different party leaders and people are quite excited. some are more excited _ are quite excited. some are more excited than others, others are disappointed. the anc will be significantly disappointed to lose about— significantly disappointed to lose about 70 seats, almost 70 seats in the national assembly, that is what they wiii— the national assembly, that is what they will be introducing. they are now moving from the provinces to the nationat _ now moving from the provinces to the nationat it— now moving from the provinces to the national. it is a very significant moment — national. it is a very significant moment i_ national. it is a very significant moment. i spoke to the da leader and i was moment. i spoke to the da leader and iwas saying _ moment. i spoke to the da leader and i was saying there are big decisions to be _ i was saying there are big decisions to be made — i was saying there are big decisions to be made and he said, absolutely, it is a _ to be made and he said, absolutely, it is a big _ to be made and he said, absolutely, it is a big week ahead. for all of us, whether— it is a big week ahead. for all of us, whether analyst or not, this is important — us, whether analyst or not, this is important-— important. let's listen into the national results. _ the electoral commission of south africa declares the results of the 2024 national and provincial elections is free and fair. cheering. booing. this moment is a triumph for democracy, a victory for the principles of transparency, a measure that we can reflect on even as we take stock of accountability and the rule of law in our land. let us celebrate this achievement, while remaining vigilant. for the work of strengthening democracy is one that truly never ends. together we must continue to build a nation that serves as a beacon of hope, a shining example of what can be achieved when the power of the people is harnessed for greater good. i extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who made these elections possible. i want to single each one of you here and everywhere in this beautiful land. there are many south africans that have spoken from many points of the world, to them as well i say thank you. applause. we now take this moment to remind all of us that south africa is an enduring democracy, but we are not where we should be and every day we must work hard to continue on this journey. let me thank you all. even as i asked that the lord will bless our country south africa and prosper her people. it is now my singular honour to hand over to the elected peoples of this nation, to hand over a list of the elected peoples in this election to the president of the republic of south africa, even as i ask him and invite him to come to the podium. mr president, do please come. let us come, ladies and gentlemen, i do truly apologise that i gave you a summary of the elections for the provincial summary. please do bear with me, it has been a long journey. it has been a long journey. applause. let us now receive... let us now receive the results of the national assembly. let's bring catherine back in. catherine, we are now seeing the national results. the chairman of the electoral commission admitted it had been quite a long day for him. indeed, this has been a very difficult day and we are all trying to get a sense of the proceedings at the moment. what is happening now is there is a regional vote for the national assembly. those are the figures we are seeing at the moment. shortly after that we will then have that final national tally. as you can see, everyone's eyes are glued to the screen is just behind me. can see, everyone's eyes are glued to the screen isjust behind me. and to the screen is “ust behind me. and then we to the screen isjust behind me. and then we expect, as i assume, we almost got him there, to hearfrom president cyril ramaphosa after this final result has been announced. yes, we are not quite sure what happened. before we got these final results of the chairperson was introducing the president, cyril ramaphosa. he is here and this will be his first statement since wednesday's elections. it is important to note the anc has said he is not here as the leader of a party. he has come to this event as head of state. this is because these are crucial elections for south africa. it is essentially a sort of transition in terms of how politics work here in south africa. he has come to address the nation. this happens with every election. the sitting president often comes and takes part in this event by the independent electoral commission. i assume going forward, because we know the anc has not got that majority, how involved is he going to be in those talks to form a coalition? 0r to be in those talks to form a coalition? or is it party officials that will be doing the negotiating? i keep looking back because as these results are coming and i want to bring them to you as soon as we get the final tally. everyone says is that this is the anc of cyril ramaphosa. we have a different leaders of the ruling party and each one makes sure they stamp their identity on the national party. so whatever decisions are made within the anc will have to go through president cyril ramaphosa. there are obviously questions about whether this result, this terrible result we are expecting for the anc, is an indictment of his leadership. there were some rumblings, some murmurings and whispers in his party as to whether he needs to resign following these results. but what we know definitely from party officials is he is not going anywhere. they are promising renewal, they are promising renewal, they are promising to listen to south africans following these results and deliver on those crucial things that people have been calling for. electricity, water, jobs and better education. just electricity, water, “obs and better education. , , , ., electricity, water, “obs and better education. . , ., ., , ., education. just explain now, shall we aet education. just explain now, shall we get the _ education. just explain now, shall we get the amount _ education. just explain now, shall we get the amount of— education. just explain now, shall we get the amount of seats - education. just explain now, shall we get the amount of seats very l we get the amount of seats very shortly? we get the amount of seats very shortl ? , , ., shortly? yes, we should get the seats very _ shortly? yes, we should get the seats very shortly. _ shortly? yes, we should get the seats very shortly. now - shortly? yes, we should get the seats very shortly. now what i shortly? yes, we should get the| seats very shortly. now what we shortly? yes, we should get the - seats very shortly. now what we are seeing on the screens, i am not sure if you have that there as well, we are seeing on the screens is the national assembly seats that have now been allocated. in third place with 31 seats is the mk party, the party of the former presidentjacob zuma. in second place with 42 party of the former president jacob zuma. in second place with 42 seats the democratic alliance as well. i will keep looking and make sure i am getting the final total that we are getting the final total that we are getting through now, coming. we have some newer parties there. rise only existed for about a year now. it has a total of two seats. we have another new party, bosa, and it has two seats. we have another key party that came out of the democratic alliance that got sick seats. the eff, another leading opposition party, has a 39 seats. the anc has 159 seats. the democratic alliance has 87 seats. and we have jacob zuma's party that has 58 seats. there you have it. there is cheering, but obviously not huge celebrations from the anc because, as you will remember, this is a severe decline in the anc share of seats within the national assembly. those are the final results here from the national tally centre. wonderful. thank you very much indeed. we are seeing the voter turnout as well, 58%. is that the usual type of figure for the elections in south africa? well, it has been up _ elections in south africa? well, it has been up for _ elections in south africa? well, it has been up for debate _ elections in south africa? well, it has been up for debate here - elections in south africa? well, it has been up for debate here in i elections in south africa? well, it i has been up for debate here in south africa because on election day, i am not sure if you remember, there were queues snaking around buildings and streets, hundreds of people queueing up streets, hundreds of people queueing up to vote, specifically in the province of kwazulu—natal. we had people talking about this being an historic election, an historic turnout and it was reminiscent of 1994 when millions of people in this country were able to vote for the first time. the expectation even from the electoral commission at that point that the turnout was going to be higher than the previous election of 66%. but as the votes have been counted and verified we are seeing this turnout of 58%. and now i want to say that the president has taken to the stage, his first comments following wednesday's elections. thank you, let's be seated, please. programme — thank you, let's be seated, please. programme director, deputy president, his wife, who is here with — deputy president, his wife, who is here with us, the chiefjustice, ministers _ here with us, the chiefjustice, ministers and deputy ministers present, — ministers and deputy ministers present, and chairperson of the independent electoral commission, and also _ independent electoral commission, and also former chairpersons and deputy _ and also former chairpersons and deputy chairperson is of the electoral commission that i see before — electoral commission that i see before me here, commissioners of the ioc, before me here, commissioners of the m the _ before me here, commissioners of the ioc, the chief electoral officer, the leadership of the national house of traditional leaders, leaders and representatives of political parties here present, members of observer missions, _ here present, members of observer missions, both local and international, members of the diplomatic corps, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members — representatives of civil society, members of the media and fellow south _ members of the media and fellow south africans, the chairperson of the wt, _ south africans, the chairperson of the ioc, there are just four issues that i_ the ioc, there are just four issues that i would like to comment on. in terms _ that i would like to comment on. in terms of— that i would like to comment on. in terms of what you said, the first one, _ terms of what you said, the first one. and — terms of what you said, the first one. and i— terms of what you said, the first one, and i would like the chief justice — one, and i would like the chief justice to close his ears in case there _ justice to close his ears in case there is— justice to close his ears in case there is another court challenge about— there is another court challenge about what i am about to say, that i spoke _ about what i am about to say, that i spoke here — about what i am about to say, that i spoke here as leader of a political party, _ spoke here as leader of a political party, because i speak here, as you correctly— party, because i speak here, as you correctly said, chairperson, as the president— correctly said, chairperson, as the president of— correctly said, chairperson, as the president of the republic. however, 'ust president of the republic. however, just a _ president of the republic. however, just a small comet and the chief justice _ just a small comet and the chief justice has already closed his ears. how i _ justice has already closed his ears. how i wish — justice has already closed his ears. how i wish the mistake you made in saying _ how i wish the mistake you made in saying these were the 29 election results _ saying these were the 29 election results i — saying these were the 29 election results i wish was true. now i put on my— results i wish was true. now i put on my other— results i wish was true. now i put on my other hat which is this one, state _ on my other hat which is this one, state president. that you said instead — state president. that you said instead of saying distinguish, you said extinguished excavation! i am not yet _ said extinguished excavation! i am not yet extinguished. but the one that i_ not yet extinguished. but the one that i truly, truly loved and i never— that i truly, truly loved and i never thought i would hear the ioc talking _ never thought i would hear the ioc talking about love, you also mentioned love. many of us truly want _ mentioned love. many of us truly want love — mentioned love. many of us truly want love tonight. thank you very much _ want love tonight. thank you very much to— want love tonight. thank you very much to all— want love tonight. thank you very much to all of you. the final announcement of the 2024 national and provincial election results today, — and provincial election results today, in— and provincial election results today, in many ways represents a victory _ today, in many ways represents a victory for — today, in many ways represents a victory for our democracy as south africans _ victory for our democracy as south africans it — victory for our democracy as south africans. it also represents a victory — africans. it also represents a victory of _ africans. it also represents a victory of our constitutional order, but more — victory of our constitutional order, but more importantly it represents a victory _ but more importantly it represents a victory for— but more importantly it represents a victory for all the people of south africa _ victory for all the people of south africa we — victory for all the people of south africa. we have held another successful election that has been free, _ successful election that has been free, fair, — successful election that has been free, fair, credible and peaceful. applause. the independent electoral commission has, despite many challenges, many difficulties— has, despite many challenges, many difficulties that you went through, many— difficulties that you went through, many mountains that you had to climb. _ many mountains that you had to climb, once more you have acquitted yourself— climb, once more you have acquitted yourself with excellence, professionalism and integrity and we applaud _ professionalism and integrity and we applaud you as we hereby do. applause. millions of south africans have cast their votes — millions of south africans have cast their votes in cities, in towns, in our villages— their votes in cities, in towns, in our villages and on our farms and in places— our villages and on our farms and in places including our prisons, at voting — places including our prisons, at voting stations also at home and abroad — voting stations also at home and abroad. south africans care very much _ abroad. south africans care very much about their country as exemplified in the manner in which they went — exemplified in the manner in which they went out to vote. south africans _ they went out to vote. south africans have demonstrated that they want to _ africans have demonstrated that they want to be _ africans have demonstrated that they want to be part of making this beautiful— want to be part of making this beautiful country a better place. south _ beautiful country a better place. south africans have shown how important — south africans have shown how important their vote is and that they— important their vote is and that they know that their vote does count — they know that their vote does count by— they know that their vote does count. by going to vote the people of south _ count. by going to vote the people of south africa have taken responsibility, not only for the future — responsibility, not only for the future of— responsibility, not only for the future of themselves as voters, and their families, future of themselves as voters, and theirfamilies, but future of themselves as voters, and their families, but for future of themselves as voters, and theirfamilies, but forthe future of themselves as voters, and their families, but for the future of our— their families, but for the future of our beautiful country. through their— of our beautiful country. through their votes— of our beautiful country. through their votes they have demonstrated clearly _ their votes they have demonstrated clearly and plainly that our democracy is strong, that our democracy is strong, that our democracy is strong, that our democracy is robust, and that it is enduring — democracy is robust, and that it is enduring. 30 years in the making of this democracy it remains strong and it is still— this democracy it remains strong and it is still durable. and we are meant — it is still durable. and we are meant to— it is still durable. and we are meant to be grateful for that and thank— meant to be grateful for that and thank you — meant to be grateful for that and thank you to the people of south africa _ africa. applause. 0ur applause. our people have given effect to the 0ur people have given effect to the clarion— 0ur people have given effect to the clarion call— our people have given effect to the clarion call that has resonated across — clarion call that has resonated across generations, that the people shall govern. 0ur across generations, that the people shall govern. our people have spoken — shall govern. our people have spoken. whether we like it or not, they have — spoken. whether we like it or not, they have spoken. as the leaders of political— they have spoken. as the leaders of political parties, as all those who occupied, — political parties, as all those who occupied, or occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have heard _ responsibility in society, we have heard the — responsibility in society, we have heard the voices of our people and we must _ heard the voices of our people and we must respect their choices and their— we must respect their choices and their wishes. we must respect their choices and theirwishes. 0verthe we must respect their choices and their wishes. over the past 30 years we have _ their wishes. over the past 30 years we have strived together to build a country _ we have strived together to build a country which everyone, black and white. _ country which everyone, black and white. man — country which everyone, black and white, man and woman, young and old, can call— white, man and woman, young and old, can call home — white, man and woman, young and old, can call home. this election has reaffirmed — can call home. this election has reaffirmed building a south africa for all _ reaffirmed building a south africa for all remains the defining mission of our— for all remains the defining mission of our nation. 0ver for all remains the defining mission of our nation. over the course of the election— of our nation. over the course of the election campaign parties and candidates have at times deferred, and quite _ candidates have at times deferred, and quite often forcefully. they have _ and quite often forcefully. they have expressed a wide variety of views _ have expressed a wide variety of views that — have expressed a wide variety of views that are often at odds with each _ views that are often at odds with each other. this is a welcome and necessary— each other. this is a welcome and necessary feature of a robust democracy such as ours. yet throughout the election campaign parties _ throughout the election campaign parties and candidates have held fast to— parties and candidates have held fast to the fundamental principles of our— fast to the fundamental principles of our constitution and our democracy. parties and candidates have affirmed the right of voters to participate — have affirmed the right of voters to participate in an election that is free and — participate in an election that is free and fairand participate in an election that is free and fair and peaceful. and now we are _ free and fair and peaceful. and now we are all— free and fair and peaceful. and now we are all called upon to recognise that the _ we are all called upon to recognise that the results of the election in the end _ that the results of the election in the end reflect the will of the people — the end reflect the will of the people. what this election has made plain is— people. what this election has made plain is that the people of south africa _ plain is that the people of south africa expect their leaders to work together, — africa expect their leaders to work together, to meet their needs. they expect— together, to meet their needs. they expect the _ together, to meet their needs. they expect the parties for which they have _ expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, to overcome _ have voted to find common ground, to overcome their differences, to act and work— overcome their differences, to act and work together for the good of everyone — and work together for the good of everyone. i want to repeat, to find common— everyone. i want to repeat, to find common ground, and underlined that, to overcome _ common ground, and underlined that, to overcome their differences, to act and _ to overcome their differences, to act and work together for the good of everyone. that is what the people of everyone. that is what the people of south _ of everyone. that is what the people of south africa have said. now, our people _ of south africa have said. now, our people expect all parties to work together— people expect all parties to work together within the framework of our constitution and address whatever challenges we encounter peacefully and in _ challenges we encounter peacefully and in accordance with the prescripts of our constitution and the rule — prescripts of our constitution and the rule of— prescripts of our constitution and the rule of law. that is what is required — the rule of law. that is what is required of— the rule of law. that is what is required of us. and, of course, we will always— required of us. and, of course, we will always have different views. we will always have different views. we will always have problems that we will always have problems that we will raise — will always have problems that we will raise. what our people expect of all of— will raise. what our people expect of all of us — will raise. what our people expect of all of us is to work together to find solutions in a peaceful manner in accordance with our laws. each party _ in accordance with our laws. each party emerges from this election with a _ party emerges from this election with a mandate based on the commitments they each made to the electorate _ commitments they each made to the electorate. however, all the parties share _ electorate. however, all the parties share an _ electorate. however, all the parties share an overarching mandate to work in partnership with each other and with society more broadly to build a country— with society more broadly to build a country that is inclusive, united and prosperous. as we take our seats in parliament— and prosperous. as we take our seats in parliament in the national assembly in parliament and in the provincial— assembly in parliament and in the provincial legislatures, let us appreciate that the seats that we occupy _ appreciate that the seats that we occupy do — appreciate that the seats that we occupy do not belong to us. they belong _ occupy do not belong to us. they belong to — occupy do not belong to us. they belong to the people of south africa — belong to the people of south africa. as we represent them. applause. whatever authority, whatever power we are _ whatever authority, whatever power we are entrusted with must be exercised _ we are entrusted with must be exercised to advance the interests of the _ exercised to advance the interests of the people of south africa. as the 2024 — of the people of south africa. as the 2024 election reaches its conclusion, and as you mop up everything _ conclusion, and as you mop up everything that has to do with your work, _ everything that has to do with your work, chairperson, we want to thank the staff— work, chairperson, we want to thank the staff and — work, chairperson, we want to thank the staff and leadership of the independent electoral commission who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success _ have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of— have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of these elections, often under— success of these elections, often under very— success of these elections, often under very trying and difficult conditions. we applaud you and we thank— conditions. we applaud you and we thank you _ conditions. we applaud you and we thank you and let's give all the members _ thank you and let's give all the members of the commission and the staff a _ members of the commission and the staff a round of applause and thank them _ applause we are truly grateful to you as i watched — we are truly grateful to you as i watched you do your work, ijust kept _ watched you do your work, ijust kept on — watched you do your work, ijust kept on imagining, how do you do it? when— kept on imagining, how do you do it? when you _ kept on imagining, how do you do it? when you have so many people all at one go. _ when you have so many people all at one go. and — when you have so many people all at one go, and three days, all thronging to the centres that you have _ thronging to the centres that you have appointed or decided it should be voting _ have appointed or decided it should be voting stations and do it as well as you _ be voting stations and do it as well as you did — be voting stations and do it as well as you did. we thank you for that. thank— as you did. we thank you for that. thank you — as you did. we thank you for that. thank you very much. applause we must pay tribute to the men and women _ we must pay tribute to the men and women of— we must pay tribute to the men and women of the south african police service _ women of the south african police service and — women of the south african police service and the south african national— service and the south african national defence force. applause