News 18:00

BULLETIN 2 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The UN declares the detention of two South African engineers in Equatorial Guinea unlawful
# South Africa’s expected business conditions surge to a two-year high
# And canoeing: Maher and Lovemore the pair to beat at the 2024 Berg River Marathon

# The United Nations’ Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has declared the imprisonment of two South African engineers in Equatorial Guinea unlawful, urging their immediate release. Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham have been detained since February last year on fabricated charges amid a diplomatic dispute over seized assets linked to vice president Teodore Nguema Obiang Mangue. The families’ spokesperson, Shaun Murphy, urges swift action for their release, citing innocence and the absence of due legal process:

# South Africa’s expected business conditions surged to a two-year high, with the index for South African manufacturing industry expectations climbing to 68.1 in June from 57.6 in May. The increase reflects reduced political uncertainty post-elections and optimism for improved global and domestic demand. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new cabinet appointments, including business-friendly ministers, signal efforts to boost economic growth. Lower global inflation and local fuel price decreases are also seen as positive factors easing cost pressures.

# Deputy minister of Defence, Bantu Holomisa, has emphasised the need for a comprehensive planning cycle to address challenges within the South African Defence Force. Returning to government after 28 years, Holomisa highlighted his appointment as significant, having served as the deputy chairperson of the National Defence Force Commission for nine years. He says the focus includes SANDF readiness, troop security, budget allocation, and the impact of climate change on the sector:

# Canoeing: A bunch of relatively young athletes will line up with the hope of starting a new era of domination at the 2024 Berg River Marathon in the Western Cape this week. The two paddlers to beat look like being last year’s runner-up, Jeremy Maher, and third-placed Thomas Lovemore. Veteran Hank McGregor last year notched up his 13th win. In the women’s race Stephanie von der Heyde and Bianca Beavitt should both be in with a chance. The event starts in Paarl tomorrow morning and will end in Velddrift on Saturday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-61-cents and the euro at 19-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-58-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-230-dollars-98-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-326-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-78-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Miss Supranational 2024 contestant Bryoni Govender is hoping to be crowned winner as she represents South Africa in the pageant on Saturday. Govender dazzled in the preliminary evaluation in Poland, wearing a Juan William Aria art piece adorned with 55-thousand hand-placed crystals. The preliminary round counts for 40-percent of the evaluation process. The attorney says she is fully committed to her campaign on women empowerment in South Africa. The 15th edition of Miss Supranational will see Andrea Aguilera of Ecuador crown her successor.

Stay tuned for more news………….