News 17:00

BULLETIN 19 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s ban on Brazilian poultry impacts the local poultry industry
# A navigational warning is issued after 99 containers fall off a vessel off the East Coast           
# And, rugby: The Springboks are still on top of the world after beating the Wallabies

# Hume International has reported that South Africa’s ban on poultry from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, has severely impacted the local poultry industry. The ban, effective from this month, restricts imports of poultry produced after June 17. Hume International criticises the blanket ban, noting that it contravenes international trade statutes and could lead to higher food prices. The organisation’s Roy Thomas told SABC News that South Africa, a major importer of Brazilian poultry, faces potential economic strain in the processed meat industry:

# The ANC in Gauteng has welcomed a 14-billion-rand investment in the hospitality sector, which is expected to boost the local economy. Key contributors include Airports Company South Africa with six-billion-rand, Vodacom with three-billion-rand, and Citibank with 1.4-billion-rand. ANC provincial secretary Thembinkosi Nciza briefed the media on the provincial executive committee lekgotla’s outcomes. He views the substantial funding as a crucial milestone in economic development and job creation, reinforcing the province’s commitment to economic growth and revitalisation:

# A navigational warning has been issued to sailing vessels off South Africa’s East Coast after 99 containers fell off the Maltese-flagged ship CMA CGM Belem. This is the second incident within a month involving the same France-based company. The South African Maritime Safety Authority has urged local skippers to remain vigilant and report container sightings. Both incidents were linked to adverse weather. The vessel has been redirected to the Port of Ngqura.

# Rugby: The Springboks warded off Ireland’s challenge for the top spot in the world rankings when they beat the Wallabies for the second weekend in a row. A draw or a loss would’ve seen the Irish replacing South Africa in the number one spot despite not playing since last month’s drawn series against the world champions. The All Blacks remain in third position after beating Argentina, who is still sixth. France is fourth and England fifth. Scotland, Italy, Australia and Fiji complete the top-ten.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-81-cents and the euro at 19-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-710-dollars-49-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-490-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

# And finally, a Sweepsouth report has revealed that despite a 14-percent pay increase, many South African domestic workers still earn below the national minimum wage. The survey of over five-thousand-600 workers shows average monthly earnings of three-thousand-349-rand for women and three-thousand-and-59-rand for men, both below the four-thousand-400 expected under the minimum wage. With rising living costs outpacing wage increases, many domestic workers face a monthly deficit of around 800-rand. Despite above-inflation pay hikes, 83-percent of domestic workers struggle to meet basic needs as primary breadwinners.

Stay tuned for more news………….