News 16:00

BULLETIN 2 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Twelve Pretoria High School for Girls learners are found not guilty of racism
# The AA forecasts a small drop in fuel prices for August
# And, rugby: A new front row and several backline changes for Western Province’s Currie Cup clash with the Griffons

# The Pretoria High School for Girls has announced that twelve learners suspended for alleged racism have been found not guilty of misconduct. The ruling came from a three-person panel chaired by an advocate who held a disciplinary hearing on the matter this week. The school confirms the learners’ prefect status will be reinstated, and emphasises that the disciplinary process was fair and transparent, with valuable lessons learned.

# The Automobile Association forecasts minor fuel price reductions for this month, based on unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund. The price of 95-octane petrol is expected to decrease by about 14-cents per litre, and 93-octane petrol by nine-cents per litre.  AA spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela says diesel prices could drop by around 26-cents per litre, while the price of illuminating paraffin may fall by 21-cents per litre: 

# The Bureau for Economic Research projects South Africa’s economy will grow by 2.2-percent next year, surpassing forecasts from the Reserve Bank and the International Monetary Fund. This optimistic outlook is driven by the government of national unity, lower interest rates, and reduced load-shedding. The bureau anticipates easing logistics issues, rising business and consumer confidence, and potential repo rate cuts to support economic activity. However, risks remain concerning the upcoming United States presidential election and its potential impact on global markets.

# University of Free State researcher Luther van der Mescht has warned that South Africa’s cattle industry faces a crisis as ticks become resistant to pesticides. He told eNCA the growing resistance due to poor farm practices, needs constant monitoring. Van der Mescht warns this could impact meat and milk production, hence affecting farmers’ incomes and consumer pockets:

# Rugby: Western Province has an all new front row for tomorrow’s Currie Cup encounter with the Griffons in Cape Town. Props Vernon Matongo and Corné Weilbach come into the starting team with the experienced Scarra Ntubeni at hooker. André Goedhals starts in the second row, with Hendré Stassen ruled out with an injury. Clayton Blommetjies starts at flyhalf and Damian Markus gets his first start at inside centre. JC Mars will make his senior Western Province debut on the wing, with Luke Burger back at fullback. Kick-off is at 5.15.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-623-dollars-48-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-457-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….