News 17:00

BULLETIN 9 September 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa sees the US tariffs as a chance to diversify South Africa’s export markets
# Build One SA says the 0.8-percent GDP growth highlights government’s failure to boost jobs and livelihoods
# And cricket: Dewald Brevis and Aiden Markram are sold for huge amounts at the SA20 players’ auction

# President Cyril Ramaphosa assured members of Parliament that the government is engaging with the US to address the 30-percent tariffs on local exports. He replied to oral questions in the National Assembly. Ramaphosa says South Africa is working to expand trade beyond the US into Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East, while supporting local exporters through measures such as working capital and equipment assistance:

# Build One South Africa says the latest gross domestic product figures show the economy is failing to deliver real growth, expanding by only 0.8-percent from April to June. The party says slow growth is affecting jobs, incomes, and the daily lives of South Africans. BOSA’s Roger Solomons urged the government to adopt the party’s plan for prosperity to achieve five-percent economic growth through business, infrastructure, labour, and skills development reforms:

# ActionSA has raised serious concerns about the state of the Mananga border post and surrounding communities like Magudu in Mpumalanga. Porous borders are enabling illegal crossings, crime, and smuggling, leaving frontline communities vulnerable. ActionSA’s Norman Sibitane warns the Border Management Authority lacks capacity, and calls for urgent national intervention, stronger patrols, and proper resourcing to safeguard South Africa’s sovereignty, protect citizens, and restore law and order along these borders:

Moving abroad: 

# Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside a major arms fair in London as it opened without the presence of Israeli government officials because of tension between Britain and Israel over the Gaza conflict. Police watched as around 300 protesters waved Palestinian flags and held up placards including one reading “UK: Stop arming Israel. Stop the Gaza Genocide“. The British government excluded the officials from the four-day event, but 51 Israeli defence companies are set to attend.

# Cricket: Explosive Proteas batter Dewald Brevis and his T20 captain, Aiden Markram, were the early winners at the SA20’s players’ auction for the fourth season. Brevis was sold for 16.5-million-rand to Pretoria Capitals, while Durban’s Super Giants bought Markram for 14-million-rand. Wiaan Mulder fetched nine-million from Joburg Super Kings, Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj 1,7-million from Capitals and 19-year-old Proteas fast bowler Kwena Maphaka 2,3-million-rand from Durban’s Super Giants. Veteran wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock fetched 2.4-million-rand from Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and bowler Lungi Ngidi was bought for 2,3-million by Capitals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-50-cents and the euro at 20-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-617-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-654-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….