News 07:00

BULLETIN 2 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema says workers must earn a proper living wage
# Numsa condemns Netanyahu and Biden for the genocidal campaign in Palestine
# And motorsport: Red Bull’s legendary F1 designer’s exit confirmed

# EFF leader Julius Malema has vowed to raise the minimum wage substantially once his party is elected into power on the 29th of this month. He spoke at an EFF Workers’ Day rally in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria yesterday. The latest survey by global market research firm Ipsos, predicts that the party will receive 11.5-percent of the vote nationally. Malema says it is important that workers are protected and earn a proper living wage:

# The Basic Income Grant SA party has cautioned against scapegoating labour laws for the country’s economic decline. Big SA is advocating for a universal basic income grant to guarantee a meal for society’s most vulnerable and stimulate the economy. Contesting the upcoming elections in Gauteng, party leader, Hendrick Kekana, warned rising unemployment is a ticking time bomb, robbing individuals of their dignity and right to provide for their families. Kekana urges voters to support their efforts to create a more equitable economic system:

# The Casual Workers Advice Office 2023 Strike Barometer recorded 83 strikes in South Africa last year, primarily wage-related. The strikes recorded don’t include multiple demonstrations that took place at universities, hospitals, and the State Information Technology Agency. According to the barometer, the other main reason behind the strikes is the seeking of permanent jobs. The barometer recorded the longest strike from July until November, a total of 104 days, between the South African Municipal Workers Union and the City of Tshwane.

# The Gauteng Hawks say the investigation into Tembisa Hospital is at an advanced stage. In December 2022, they conducted a search and seizure operation at the hospital. This is over information about irregular contracts awarded by supply chain management at the health facility to 217 service providers. The hospital’s suspended CEO, doctor Ashley Mthunzi, died last week. He was suspended on allegations of authorising purchase order requests in the scheme of the irregular tenders. The Hawks say Mthunzi’s death does not hinder the investigation.

# Metalworkers union Numsa condemns Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States president Joe Biden for their actions in Palestine, accusing them of conducting a genocidal campaign against Palestinians. The union has announced its solidarity with Palestine, following a request from American activist Angela Davis. They have agreed to collaborate with Davis on a campaign to defend Palestine, mobilising support locally, regionally, and internationally. Numsa’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola has called for the implementation of boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel:

# Motorsport: Red Bull has confirmed that its design chief, Adrian Newey, will leave the Formula One team early next year. The 65-year-old, who joined the team in 2006, led the design of the cars that have taken the team to all 13 of their world titles in 20 seasons. Red Bull’s team principal and CEO, Christian Horner, has hailed Newey’s influence within the team, describing him as a true legend. According to reports, Ferrari and Aston Martin have approached Newey.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-55-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-309-dollars-89-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-322-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….