News 17:00

BULLETIN 5 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s business activity contracts again in January
# Tensions between the US and Chine increase
# And rugby: Makazole Mapimpi will miss three crucial URC matches following a disciplinary hearing

# South African private sector activity has contracted sharply in January. The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index dropped to 47.4 from 49.9 in December, its lowest since July 2021. The decline was driven by lower sales and a solid drop in new orders, particularly in the service sector. Companies reportedly struggled to regain customers, potentially affecting first-quarter growth. However, the survey noted improvements in domestic supply chains, with some vendors benefiting from reduced demand and eased bottlenecks.

# The DA is calling for improved management within the public sector and stronger anti-corruption measures to boost the economy. The party urges the government to embrace digital transformation across services to eliminate inefficiencies, curb fraud, and lower costs. DA leader John Steenhuisen told the media these steps are crucial for fostering economic growth and securing better services for citizens:

# The Goma Call for Peace has been launched to demand an immediate ceasefire and protection for civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Anglican bishop of Goma, Martin Gordon, highlighted the immense suffering following the M23 rebels taking control of the city, which has resulted in over 900 deaths. Gordon calls for an end to the fighting, withdrawal of foreign forces, and renewed peace talks between Rwanda and the DRC:

# China has accused the United States of suppression after the US Postal Service said it was suspending parcels from China and Hong Kong, a move that could hit e-commerce giants Temu and Shein. Tensions between the US and China have soared in recent days as the world’s two largest economies slapped a volley of tariffs on each others’ imports, hitting hundreds of billions of dollars in trade. The postal service also scrapped a duty-free exemption for packages valued at 14-thousand-800-rand or less.

# Rugby: Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi is only set to return to the Sharks next month after he was suspended for three matches. He underwent a disciplinary hearing for foul play during the Sharks’ 42-22 win over Cardiff on 25 January. Reports indicate Mapimpi got into contact with Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel’s eye area. He admitted to the offense and will miss the United Rugby Championship matches against the Bulls next Saturday, and the Lions on the first and the eighth of March.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-57-cents and the euro at 19-rand-34-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-338-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-867-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….