News 18:00

BULLETIN 19 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Enoch Godongwana confirms the 2025 budget will be tabled on 12 March after additional cabinet talks
# A study shows inefficient logistics cost the citrus industry 5.2-billion-rand last year
# And tennis: A man is banned from WTA events after scaring Emma Raducanu

# Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has confirmed that the 2025 budget will be tabled on 12 March, following additional deliberations within the cabinet. The budget speech was initially set for today, but government decided to delay it to allow further discussions. Godongwana told the media the delay is in line with the Public Finance Management Act, which allows for a postponed presentation in exceptional circumstances:

ATM leader Vuyo Zungula has meanwhile criticised the postponement, calling it unprecedented and a sign of incompetence within the government of national unity. Speaking to the media, Zungula condemned the last-minute decision, warning that policy implementation will suffer due to ongoing disagreements. He urged the GNU to set aside internal conflicts and prioritise South Africans amid economic challenges:

# A study by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy has revealed that inefficiencies in South Africa’s logistics system cost the citrus industry 5.2-billion-rand in the 2024 season. The losses stem from slow port operations, poor infrastructure, and shipping delays, jeopardising industry growth and jobs. The Citrus Growers’ Association calls for urgent public-private partnerships to secure the industry’s future and protect exports.

# French president Emmanuel Macron is hosting a new meeting on Ukraine today in a bid to coordinate a European response to what he called an existential threat from Russia after a shock policy shift in Washington. According to the French presidency Macron planned to speak to leaders of around 15 countries, with most taking part by video link. US president Donald Trump has stunned the European Union by indicating he is ready to resume diplomacy with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after three years of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

# Tennis: A man was banned from women’s professional tournaments after an incident involving British player Emma Raducanu during the Dubai Championships. The 22-year-old was reduced to tears during her match against Chech player Karolina Muchova when she saw a certain man in the stands. This followed after he approached her earlier, exhibiting fixated behaviour. Governing body WTA says the man was evicted and banned from all events, pending a threat assessment. Raducanu was granted a restraining order in 2022 against a man who stalked her.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-56-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-192-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-937-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….