News 12:00

BULLETIN 9 June 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says transformation is not a favour, it is a necessity
# NUMSA signs an above inflation wage increase in the plastics sector
# And Congolese refugee children are bullied in Cape Town primary schools

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says government reaffirms that broad-based black economic empowerment is not just a policy choice but a constitutional imperative. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says false notions that a choice must be made between growth and transformation, and that B-BBEE is a cost to the economy, must be corrected. Ramaphosa says transformation is not a favour, but a necessity. He adds the task is to ensure that both growth and transformation are pursued together.

# Metal workers union Numsa’s general secretary, Irvin Jim, has welcomed the signing of the above inflation increase agreement of 2.8-percent as part of the Plastic Industry Main Collective Agreement. The sector represents approximately 34-thousand workers nationally, and is a sub-sector of the Metals Engineering Industries Bargaining Council. Jim says the agreement, which expires on the 30th of June 2028, is in the best interest of workers.

# The Eastern Cape Transport Department is urging road users to exercise caution on the roads as the province is experiencing cold, rainy and snowy conditions. The province has an 80-percent chance of rain. The department’s spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, says Wapadsberg Pass on the R61 between Nxuba and Graaff Reinet is experiencing snowfall, and they are keeping a close eye on other mountain passes as well:

# Cricket: Proteas opening batter, Aiden Markram, says they are confident heading into the final of the World Test Championship against holders Australia at Lord’s, starting on Wednesday. This is despite South Africa not having played a Test in six months. Markram says they know the importance of starting well, trying to get ahead of the game early, and how important each session is going to be:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-71-cents and the euro at 20-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-577-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-323-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Congolese refugee children attending schools in Maitland and Parow in Cape Town face relentless bullying rooted in xenophobia, racism, and cultural differences. This is according to a study by the University of the Western Cape Master’s student, Adelina Nakatya Ntagerwa. Twenty parents of adolescent refugees from the war-torn Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo were interviewed. UWC’s Varsity Shield rugby captain, Romauld Nsombamanya, who was born in the DRC, describes his primary school experience as intense:

Stay tuned for more news………….