News 16:00

BULLETIN 17 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa calls for climate-resilient SADC food systems
# The price of the basic food basket in South Africa outpaces the income of the lower income groups
# And rugby: The Bulls are in talks with Kubota Spears to bring Malcolm Marx to Loftus

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says strengthening agricultural value chains and building climate-resilient food systems should be priorities to improve food security and support sustainable economic growth. Addressing the 46th Southern African Development Community summit in Durban, Ramaphosa called for increased agricultural productivity, stronger regional food reserves and greater support for smallholder and emerging farmers. He also urged countries to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area:

# Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has confirmed he knows former police general Kgomotso Phahlane, but says has never sought favours or offered him gratification. Testifying before the Madlanga commission, Matlala said he met him when he was no longer employed by police. Matlala also confirmed meeting KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi once. He declined to discuss that meeting, saying it relates to the pending Medicare24 tender case:

# The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has recalled four batches of Enalapril ten milligrams, which is used to treat high blood pressure. The recall comes after quality concerns were identified during inspections. SAHPRA spokesperson Rodgers Baloyi says pharmacies and suppliers have been told to stop selling or distributing the affected batches and return them through the proper supply chain:

# Despite a period of subdued official food inflation, South African households in lower-income brackets are facing a worsening affordability crisis. A survey by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity civic organisation indicates the cost of essential food baskets is significantly outpacing earnings, leaving many families struggling to secure basic nutrition. Spokesperson Mervyn Abrahams says the disconnect between official inflation metrics and the reality on the ground is stark. He adds poorer households now have to contend with higher transport and electricity prices, pushing food security further out of reach.

# Rugby: The Bulls are reportedly seeking to strengthen their hooker options by luring Springbok veteran Malcolm Marx back from Japan. The Pretoria team is in talks with Kubota Spears, who he joined in 2021 and is apparently keen to retain his services. Rapport reports 32-year-old Marx is strongly considering returning home and also has a relationship with Bulls coach Johan Ackermann, who coached him at the Lions earlier. He scored 135 points for South Africa in 87 Tests since making his debut in 2016.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-17-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-546-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-391-dollars-72-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….