News 06:00

BULLETIN 5 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Godongwana is waiting for a Reserve Bank and standing committee report before adjusting the inflation target
# Julius Malema says he is unfazed by Floyd Shivambu’s return to Parliament
# And the British prime minister says Israel’s military action in Gaza is appalling

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says he’s waiting for an inflation report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and the Reserve Bank before forming a view on possible changes to South Africa’s inflation-targeting framework. The committee and the Reserve Bank are reviewing the current three- to six-percent target, unchanged since 2000. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago supports shifting to a three-percent point target. Godongwana will issue a statement once the review panel’s report is submitted.

# EFF leader Julius Malema says he’s unshaken by Floyd Shivambu’s re-deployment to Parliament under the MK Party. Speaking outside the home of late actor Presley Chweneyagae, Malema dismissed the move, saying he won’t interfere in Shivambu’s business. This comes as Shivambu was demoted from secretary-general to member of Parliament. Malema said Parliament is now run by young people, and if Shivambu tries to impose himself, they’re ready for him:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Higher Education has cautioned Walter Sisulu University students that disagreement with a court ruling does not justify actions that undermine the rule of law and public safety. Three students were arrested on Wednesday following another protest action. This comes after the residence manager, Manelisi Mampane, accused of killing student Sisonke Mbolekwa, was granted ten-thousand-rand bail by the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, says students must channel their emotions constructively and within the confines of the law.

# British prime minister Keir Starmer has called the war in Gaza an appalling and intolerable situation. At least 54-thousand-381 people have been killed in Gaza since Hamas’ deadly attack in Israel on 7 October 2023. Four-thousand-117 people have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on 18 March this year. Addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday, Starmer stated that the UK is strongly opposed to Israel’s expansion of military operations and settler violence, and the blocking of humanitarian aid:

# Tennis: The French fairytale for 22-year-old world number 361 Lois Boisson continues after she beat six seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6, 6-3 yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the French Open. She faces second seed Coco Gauff in today’s first semi-final. In the other semi-final top-seed, Aryna Sabalenka faces fifth seed Iga Swiatek. Poland’s Swiatek leads the overall head-to-head 8-4, and the clay-court head-to-head 5-1. This will be their first-ever meeting at Roland Garros. Swiatek has not lost in 26 consecutive matches at the French Open.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-81-cents and the euro at 20-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-742-dollar-60-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-378-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The GOOD Party has remembered celebrated jazz photographer, Rashid Lombard, for his commitment to inclusivity and development. Lombard has been described as a cultural icon and founder of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. The 74-year-old helped elevate Cape Town’s global profile while creating local opportunities. A recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, he also documented South Africa’s democratic journey through powerful photojournalism. The party says that his legacy is secured for generations to come at the University of the Western Cape.

Stay tuned for more news………….