News 09:00

BULLETIN 25 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau says South Africa wants a partnership with the US on critical minerals
# SAFTU says the country’s greatest crisis is not inflation but unemployment
# And rugby: Vusi Moyo will spearhead the Sharks’ attack against the Ospreys

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, says South Africa is ready to engage with US companies looking for secure sources of critical minerals and industrial inputs. He participated in the Critical Minerals Roundtable in New York. The minister has proposed the establishment of a South Africa–USA Critical Minerals Working Group. Tau says South Africa can contribute mineral resources, processing capability, industrial infrastructure, and access to regional value chains, while US companies can bring capital, technology, markets, industrial expertise, and long-term demand.

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions has reiterated its call for the abandonment of inflation targeting in favour of a developmental monetary policy with the primary objectives of employment, industrialisation, productive investment and sustainable economic growth. This follows the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 7.25-percent and the prime lending rate to 10.75-percent. This was done to control inflation. SAFTU’s Asive Dyani says the country’s greatest crisis is not inflation; it is unemployment:

# The South African Communist Party is calling for law enforcement agencies to be strengthened to dismantle organised criminal networks and reduce threats to working-class and rural communities. This follows the mass shooting which left eleven people dead in KwaMakhutha township, KwaZulu-Natal, earlier this week. Initial investigations point towards a feud between rival groupings as an element in these killings. SACP says the country needs community safety structures, accountable policing, properly resourced police stations, survivor-centred services for victims of violence, and decisive action against infrastructure crime and extortion.

# President Donald Trump says the US and China can continue to build a relationship that promotes prosperity and security for future generations. He hosted Chinese president Xi Jinping for a state dinner, marking his first White House visit in over a decade. The visit comes at a critical time for relations between the countries on several issues, including artificial intelligence, trade and the war with Iran. Trump says they are working on a more balanced trading relationship, including new market access for American farmers:

# Rugby: Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has selected an exciting matchday 23 for their United Rugby Championship opener against Ospreys at Kings Park on Saturday. Former Junior Bok Vusi Moyo will spearhead the attack at flyhalf, partnering scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse. Nick Hatton captains the side from number eight in a strong loose trio with Manu Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi. This will be the first time in the tournament’s history that the Sharks open their campaign on home soil.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 18-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-69-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 84-thousand-99-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-269-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….