News 06:00

BULLETIN 24 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Godongwana withdraws the VAT hike
# President Ramaphosa says South Africa and Lesotho need to promote their trade relations
# And athletics: South Africa’s best talent will be showcased in Potchefstroom today

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has decided to withdraw the decision to hike the value-added tax rate by 0.5 percentage points. More to follow in our next bulletin.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says while other countries are creating barriers, including imposing tariffs, it is incumbent on South Africa and Lesotho to promote trade relations that reflect common interests. On Wednesday, the president co-chaired the second South Africa-Lesotho Bi-National Commission session in Maseru. Ramaphosa says the two nations have the opportunity for closer collaboration in many areas, including greater trade, infrastructure development, energy and food security, and bilateral and regional value chains.

# South Africa and the US will begin bilateral talks this week following strained relations and US-imposed tariffs. According to Business Day, Trade, Industry, and Competition minister Parks Tau is expected to lead the South African delegation as government aims to reset ties and explore a new trade pact with its second-largest partner. Meanwhile, broader talks on the African Growth and Opportunity Act are set for June or July.

# AfriForum has filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act request to the Correctional Services Department, seeking transparency on risk assessments linked to proposed Private Security Industry Regulation Act changes. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says amendments could restrict private security powers in prisons. Broodryk warns of major safety risks. He terms the changes as dangerous and delusional and urges public opposition before tomorrow’s submission deadline:

# Telkom says the 45th Southern African Telecommunications Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, is combining a spotlighted broadband expansion, AI integration, and emerging technologies to build a connected, inclusive society. Industry leaders and stakeholders are exploring how digital infrastructure can bridge connectivity gaps across the region. Speaking on the sidelines, Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong says the event is centred on driving investment, inclusion, and innovation:

# The DA in Gauteng has vowed to continue fighting until all non-profit organisations receive their funding on time. The party blames poor planning by the provincial Department of Social Development for delays in signing service-level agreements, which have held up payments. The DA’s Refiloe Nt’sekhe says the delay is depriving thousands of vulnerable people of essential welfare services:

# Athletics: South Africa’s best talent will be showcased at Athletics South Africa’s senior track and field championships in Potchefstroom today. An exciting contest is expected in the men’s 100-metres, where world junior champion and Olympic silver medalist Bayanda Walaza will come up against athletes such as Wayde van Niekerk and Benjamin Richardson. In the women’s 100-metres, national title holder Viwe Jingqi will do battle with teenager Hannah Hope Vermaak, who beat her recently. The world indoor champion, Prudence Sekgodiso, will run in the 800-metres.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-63-cents and the euro at 21-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-713-dollar-60-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-411-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….