News 09:00

BULLETIN 8th October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Mashatile says African countries should trade more among each other
# The SA Poultry Association is concerned about a probe into fairness in the poultry industry
# And the UN is concerned about the high number of civilians fleeing Mozambique

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the strengthening of value chains within the African continent is imperative to promote beneficiation and achieve competitiveness. He addressed the second edition of the Invest in Senegal Forum on Tuesday. The Forum is dedicated to promoting trade and investment by connecting the business communities of Senegal, Africa, and the world. Mashatile says collectively African countries have worked hard to craft and finalise the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, now it’s time to fully implement it:

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has warned that South Africa risks becoming a banana republic if corruption within the police is not eradicated. Referencing the Madlanga Commission, Mbalula told the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union that resolutions must lead to implementation. He vowed accountability for those representing the ANC, stressing that the party must lead decisively and that alliance partners remain united through constructive political engagement:

# The South African Poultry Association has expressed concern about the Competition Commission’s formal market inquiry into South Africa’s biggest poultry producers. The commission has identified Astral, Rainbow Chicken, Country Bird and Sovereign as the country’s four largest chicken producers, accounting for nearly 63-percent of South Africa’s chicken production. The association says the commission’s concern that big poultry companies control access to the market is wrong, adding that the benefits that large companies provide to small businesses should not be overlooked.

# The United Nations is deeply concerned about the number of civilians fleeing violence in northern Mozambique. The UN refugee agency said more than 100-thousand people fled their homes since the start of the year, with nearly 22-thousand people fleeing in a single week in late September. Renewed attacks have been reported in recent months in the Cabo Delgado province, where an insurgency has been raging since 2017. Insurgents linked to the Islamic State jihadist group attacked the key Mozambique port town of Mocimboa da Praia last month, clashing with troops and beheading civilians.

# Cricket: England recorded their second win in the Women’s World Cup in Guwahati, securing a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Bangladesh, to move to the top of the standings. Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 178. In reply, Heather Knight scored an unbeaten 79 and shared a 75-run partnership with Charlie Dean as England reached their target in the 47th over. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt says they did what they needed to do to get over the line:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-23-cents and the euro at 20-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-376-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-18-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….