News 06:00

BULLETIN 17 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says South Africa must lead in the future of vehicle manufacturing
# Eskom is responding to the fast-moving renewable energy market through Eskom Green
# And rugby: There are three changes to the Boks team for the Junior World Cup finals

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa must position itself as a global leader in future vehicle manufacturing by expanding local production, developing battery value chains, and increasing the use of critical minerals. In his virtual keynote address at the launch of Toyota’s ninth-generation Hilux in KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa said the government is strengthening incentives, supporting innovation, and improving infrastructure to ensure the automotive industry remains competitive:

Meanwhile, the Motor Industry Staff Association calls on the government to enforce a 60-percent local content requirement for vehicles built in South Africa. Backing the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers, MISA says stronger localisation is essential to grow manufacturing, create jobs, and develop local skills. The union’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says carmakers receiving government incentives should do more to support local production and help meet the automotive industry targets:

# Eskom says the fast-moving renewable energy market requires unprecedented agility and specialised partnership models that sit outside traditional utility structures. The power utility has received approval to proceed with Eskom Green, which will serve as its renewable energy division. Eskom Green is targeting to deliver up to 32 gigawatts by 2040. Eskom group executive for Renewables, Rivoningo Mnisi, says by creating a dedicated, ring-fenced platform, the power utility is proactively optimising its approach into a dynamic, market-responsive model designed to maximise private-sector collaboration and accelerate the national grid’s transition.

# The DA says prolonged acting appointments at Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni are compromising patient care and weakening management. The party argues 27 senior positions, including the chief executive officer and several department heads, remain vacant or are filled in an acting capacity. The DA’s Madeleine Hicklin has urged the Gauteng Department of Health to appoint permanent, qualified leaders to improve healthcare services across its hospitals:

# An Italian court has sentenced the country’s former motorway executives to prison, including former CEO Giovanni Castellucci, who received 12 years, over the Genoa bridge disaster. Forty-three people died when the motorway bridge came down in a rainstorm in August 2018, sending vehicles plummeting to the ground. Castellucci, who is already serving a six-year jail term for a 2013 road disaster, was one of 57 defendants. Thirty-two people were convicted and handed sentences ranging from one year to 12 years, while 25 people were either acquitted or cleared.

# Rugby: Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made three changes to the side that defeated England in the Junior World Championship semi-final for Saturday’s final against France in Tbilisi. He made two adjustments to his forward pack with Wasi Vyambwera starting at number 8, and Gert Kemp moving to the bench to provide impact later in the contest. Risima Khosa will start at flanker. Alzeadon Felix comes in at fullback for Luan Giliomee, who received a red card in the semi-final. Kick off is at half past six on Saturday afternoon.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-73-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-976-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….