News 06:00

BULLETIN 4 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the forming of a Cabinet was difficult but satisfying
# Panyaza Lesufi announces a new Gauteng Cabinet
# And Kamala Harris is seen as the top alternative to Joe Biden

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says forming a Cabinet under the government of national unity has been a complicated but satisfying process. The 75-member executive was sworn in by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in Cape Town yesterday. The Cabinet boasts some of South Africa’s youngest minds to enter office, including minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, and deputy minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli. Ramaphosa says the hard work to take the country forward now begins:

# Grain SA anticipates improved government service delivery following the appointment of new cabinet members. The industry body expects the Government of National Unity to support departmental goals. Grain SA emphasises the agricultural sector’s potential for job creation, advocating for public-private partnerships, modern technologies, and comprehensive crop insurance schemes to enhance productivity, infrastructure, and market access, ultimately stimulating rural economies.

# AfriForum has requested the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to comply with a court order on municipal electricity tariff increases until its appeal is concluded. AfriForum’s Local Government Affairs manager, Morné Mostert, warns if NERSA does not comply, AfriForum will seek a High Court order. The court ruled NERSA’s approval of tariff increases without required cost studies as unlawful. He emphasises the importance of fairness and transparency for electricity consumers.

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced his new Cabinet under the provincial government of unity. The Cabinet consists of seven ANC members, and one from the IFP, Patriotic Alliance, and RISE Mzansi. Finance MEC is Lebogang Maile, The IFP’s Bonginkosi Dlamini is MEC for eGov, RISE Mzansi’s Vuyiswa Ramokgopa is MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development and the PA’s Sheila Mary Peters is MEC for Environment. Lesufi says they are going to do everything with transparency:

# Vice-president Kamala Harris is reportedly the top alternative as Democratic presidential nominee should Joe Biden decide not to run for re-election. The possibility is being discussed after 81-year-old Biden’s disastrous first election debate against his predecessor, Donald Trump. His performance was described as fumbling and sometimes incoherent. Senior sources say Harris is the preferred candidate among Democrats concerned that Biden may not be fit for a second term. Reuters reports she has already been vetted for national office and has survived intense scrutiny from Republicans.

# Rugby: Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard says it will take a full team effort to beat Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday. Ireland have won their last three matches against South Africa. Pollard, who needs two points to pass the 700-point mark in Test rugby, says the confidence in the group is good and they have prepared well for the tough encounter:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-220-dollars-11-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-359-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….