News 07:00

BULLETIN 30 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says South Africa hopes to reach a trade deal with the US soon
# The two suspects arrested in connection with the Louvre theft admit their involvement in the heist
# And cricket: South Africa thrash England to reach its first-ever ODI Women’s World Cup final

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the 30-percent tariffs the US has imposed on South African exports have made the country diversify its trade reach. The president is on a two-day state visit to Switzerland. Switzerland remains one of South Africa’s key European trading partners, with total trade volume amounting to 18.2-billion-rand in 2024. Ramaphosa says the government is hoping to clinch a trade deal soon with the US:

Ramaphosa says South Africa and Switzerland can prove that economic growth and environmental stewardship are not adversaries but allies. Switzerland is one of South Africa’s main trading partners and a leading source of foreign direct investment. Addressing the House of Parliament on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said the two nations must deepen economic ties, transforming investment into changed lives and strengthened communities:

# The Department of Electricity and Energy says achieving universal electricity access by 2030 will cost an estimated 75-billion-rand to connect the remaining 1.6-million households. Deputy director-general Thabo Kekana told Parliament that current funding and delivery models under the Integrated National Electrification Programme are inadequate. The department plans to partner with the Development Bank of Southern Africa and explore hybrid grid and microgrid models to power rural and remote communities nationwide.

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says preparations for the 2026 local government elections will focus on reclaiming lost ground in the Western Cape and Gauteng. The National Executive Committee has established a provincial trustee to rebuild and stabilise ANC structures after a nine-percent decline in the Western Cape. He confirmed that former Western Cape premier Ibrahim Rasool will convene the team:

# The Paris prosecutor’s office says the two suspects arrested in connection with the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery have admitted involvement in the heist. Eight precious pieces worth an estimated 1.2-billion-rand were taken from the world’s most-visited museum two weeks ago, when four thieves wielding power tools broke into the building in broad daylight. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau says that the jewels have not been recovered yet, and the gang involved could be bigger than the four people caught on CCTV.

# Cricket: Captain Laura Wolvaardt produced a batting masterclass as South Africa thrashed England by 125 runs in Guwahati, to reach their first ODI Women’s World Cup final. Wolvaardt smashed 169, the highest-ever score from a South African at a World Cup, to help the Proteas post a commanding 319 for seven. In reply, Marizanne Kapp took five wickets as England were bowled out for 194. South Africa will face either Australia or India in Sunday’s final. Wolvaardt says partnerships were key for the team:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-67-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-620-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-951-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….