News 08:00

BULLETIN 29 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Hlabisa says a fit-for-purpose local government system is needed
# South Africa secures a 10.4-billion-rand loan to support just energy transition
# And soccer: Ellis is proud of her team as Banyana return home from Morocco

# Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says efficient local government is critical to economic growth and business sustainability. The minister hosted a youth and women’s dialogue on the review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government in Boksburg yesterday. The White Paper Review was launched in May to emphasise the need for local government to adapt to a changing world. Hlabisa says the country needs a fit-for-purpose local government system that truly serves citizens: 

# South Africa has secured just over 10.4-billion-rand loan from Germany’s KfW Development Bank to support the country’s efforts to shift to a low-carbon economy. The agreement builds on two other loans concluded in 2022 and 2023 and forms part of Germany’s pledge at the COP26 Climate Change Summit to support South Africa’s shift away from its reliance on fossil fuels. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says the loan will strengthen the country’s short- and medium-term energy security measures and promote decarbonisation.

# The ANC Youth League has welcomed the arrest of a former municipal manager of the Umzimkhulu Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, in connection with the murder of Sindiso Magaqa. The former ANCYL secretary general, who was a councillor in the municipality, was shot dead in 2017. The hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa, was convicted to 25-years imprisonment earlier this month. The Youth League is calling for the immediate arrest of all remaining suspects, including those within law enforcement who facilitated the assassination by supplying firearms, providing logistical protection, or obstructing justice.

# Heavy rains have triggered floods and landslides in and around Beijing, killing more than 30 people, while several others are still missing. More than 80-thousand people have been relocated, including from the Miyun district, which is the most affected. The downpours have damaged dozens of roads and cut off electricity for 136 villages. On Monday, Beijing issued its highest-level flood alert. Chinese president Xi Jinping has ordered officials to make an all-out effort to search and rescue those still missing, properly evacuate residents at risk, and minimise casualties.

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says they knew that their quest to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title would not be easy. The team arrived back in South Africa yesterday evening following their fourth-place finish in Morocco, after losing 3-4 on penalties to Ghana in the bronze medal match. Deputy minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, was at OR Tambo International Airport to welcome the team back. Ellis says she is proud of the players’ overall contribution:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-89-cents and the euro at 20-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-355-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-314-dollars-73-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….