News 07:00

BULLETIN 18 November 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa will engage with CEOs ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit
# The DA accuses the Joburg mayor of appeasing Samwu instead of fixing the failing infrastructure
# And rugby: The SA Rugby CEO says the Nations Championship is a game-changer

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will address a working dinner with South African chief executives in Sandton, Johannesburg, this evening, as part of the G20 Outreach Programme. Since assuming the G20 Presidency in December 2024, South Africa has advanced cooperation in science, innovation, education, and trade. The president will further engage CEOs on strengthening investment and continental partnerships, highlighting opportunities for South African businesses and promoting collaboration across the African continent.

Meanwhile, Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says the absence of the United States will not hinder the G20 leaders’ declaration. A total of 42 countries are confirmed to attend the Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg this weekend. Russia, Mexico, Argentina and China will instead be represented by ministers or deputies. The US says it will oppose the issuance of any G20 deliverables beyond a Chair’s Statement. Godongwana says this is not the first time that there have been geopolitical problems in the G20:

# The DA in Johannesburg is calling for an investigation into ten-billion-rand that has been diverted to satisfy the South African Municipal Workers’ Union. The party says the money should have gone toward crucial water and roads projects. DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku says residents deserve water, roads, and functional infrastructure, not a mayor who prioritises appeasing unions over their needs. She adds that this is political expediency at its worst:

# Armed men abducted 25 female students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State in north-western Nigeria. The assailants, armed with rifles and reportedly using coordinated tactics, stormed the school on Monday and killed the vice principal before kidnapping the students. Another staff member sustained gunshot wounds. This is the first major school abduction since March 2024, when more than 200 pupils were seized from a school in Kuriga, Kaduna state. Most of the school abductions in the country have been attributed to Boko Haram.

# Rugby: SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says the newly established Nations Championship, which will see the 12 best countries in the world compete against each other, will change the game globally. The Springboks will host England, Scotland and Wales in July next year in the new biennial tournament. Oberholzer says the competition will transform the existing international windows in July and November, which means every Test will now count for more than just bragging rights and world ranking points.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-57-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-566-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-24-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African National Taxi Council mourns the passing of its first democratically elected president, Khorommbi Thomas Tshisikwawe Muofhe, on 14 November. Santaco spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala says Muofhe was instrumental in unifying taxi associations across Limpopo and leading the formation of Santaco. Phala says he will be remembered for promoting unity, reducing taxi violence, and strengthening democratic governance. She says his vision and leadership shaped the industry:

Stay tuned for more news………….