News 15:00

BULLETIN 15 November 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am…….

In this bulletin:

# Statistics South Africa reports a strong 4.7-percent year-on-year mining growth
# An institute calls for an overhaul of the electricity pricing and tariff system
# And cricket: The New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee will end his 18-year Test career next month

# Statistics South Africa reported a 4.7-percent year-on-year increase in mining production for September, driven by strong performances in platinum group metals, iron ore, and manganese. However, coal and gold experienced declines. Mineral sales also grew by 8-percent, with gold and manganese leading the gains, while platinum group metals saw a decrease. StatsSA’s Juan-Pierre Terblanche says overall, the mining sector showed signs of recovery despite some challenges:

Meanwhile in other mining news, Saftu is concerned that the unfolding situation at the Stilfontein Margaret shaft in North West may end in a tragedy. Spokesperson Mogošadi Maserumule says the federation is calling on government to facilitate and engage with the leadership of the nearby communities to persuade the illegal mineworkers to come out from underground. She says cutting off food and water supplies could be described as a malicious and vindictive act. Maserumule says the federation will ask its lawyers to explore the possibility of a class action.

# The Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute is calling for an urgent overhaul of the country’s electricity pricing and tariff system. This follows Eskom’s proposal to raise electricity tariffs by 36.15-percent in its multi-year price determination submission to the National Energy Regulator. The institute’s Maia Nangle says if approved, this increase would significantly worsen the energy affordability crisis, particularly for low-income communities:

# Former US vice president Al Gore believes a second Donald Trump term in the White House may have little impact on the momentum of the world’s fight against climate change. The return of Trump, who has pledged to pull the United States from the Paris Agreement for a second time, has cast a shadow over the United Nations’ COP29 climate talks in Baku this week. Gore echoed statements from president Joe Biden’s climate team who sought to remind other countries that global action survived Trump’s first presidency.

# Cricket: New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee is set to retire from Test cricket at the end of their upcoming three-match series against England next month. The 35-year-old has played 102 Tests, taking 385 wickets, second most for New Zealand after only Richard Hadlee. He has played four ODI World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, and two Champions Trophy tournaments. Southee says the time feels right to now step away from the game that has given him so much.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-331-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-568-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….