News 07:00

BULLETIN 1 July 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the government of national unity is unprecedented
# The voter turnout in France’s snap parliamentary election is the highest in 40 years
# And motorsport: George Russell claims an unexpected victory in the Austrian Grand Prix

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality. He announced his new cabinet last night with Paul Mashatile remaining the deputy president, with political parties in the government of national unity securing ministries including the DA, IFP, Freedom Front Plus, and Patriotic Alliance. Ramaphosa says the establishment of the government of national unity in its current form is unprecedented in the history of South Africa:

Meanwhile, the ANC has welcomed the announcement of the new cabinet under the government of national unity, saying this is a testament to the resilience of the country’s democracy. The new cabinet consists of political parties in the government of national unity securing minister and deputy minister positions. The ANC says the dynamic interplay between policy and oversight authorities will be a critical part of making the government of national unity effective in bringing about transformation, redress, and national unity.

# The president of the General Industries Workers union Mametlwe Sebei says bourgeois courts are abusing their powers to weaken trade unions and undermine workers’ rights. Sebei cites the Constitutional Court’s finding against Numsa which held trade unions could not provide legal representation to members who fall outside of their scope of organising. He says the matter was brought to the court by Agri Animal Feeds:

# Voter turnout across France for yesterday’s first round of snap parliamentary elections surged to a nearly four-decade high. According to the Interior Ministry, voter turnout had reached 59.39-percent just three hours before polls closed. This is an increase of nearly 20 points compared with the 2022 elections. President Emmanuel Macron called for the snap elections following his Renaissance party’s defeat by the National Rally in the European Parliament elections. Only candidates who manage to win more than 12.5-percent of the vote will go through to the next round.

# Motorsport: Mercedes’ George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris collided in the battle for the lead. With seven laps to go, Verstappen was given a ten-second penalty for causing a collision with Norris, forcing the McLaren driver to retire from the race. Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri finished second and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz third. Russell says he is happy to claim his second race win of his Formula One career:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-436-dollars-84-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-326-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A student at the University of the Western Cape, Asenathi Mjacu, encourages other students to start side hustles or small companies to support their finances. In 2020, during her gap year, the third-year student started a clothing line despite initially not having a passion for fashion. Mjacu mastered sewing and designing outfits, relying on her determination and online resources, including YouTube and TikTok tutorials. The 23-year-old purchased her first sewing machine using a one-thousand-rand voucher awarded by the Mossel Bay mayor, Dirk Kotzé, for her matric performance.

Stay tuned for more news………….