News 16:00

BULLETIN 21 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Women across South Africa stage a silent lie-downs as gender-based violence and femicide is officially classified as a national disaster
# AfriForum launches a safety guide for international visitors ahead of the G20 summit
# And rugby: An experienced Blitzboks squad is named for the season opener in Dubai

# Women across South Africa took part in 15-minute silent lie-downs at noon to honour the 15 women who are killed in the country every day. The action, led by Women for Change, formed part of a national shutdown calling for urgent action against gender-based violence and femicide. The demonstrations coincide with the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg, drawing global attention to the crisis. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Velenkosini Hlabisa officially classified the scourge as a national disaster today.

AfriForum’s Community Safety division has meanwhile released a comprehensive safety guide for international visitors, journalists and delegates attending the G20 leaders’ summit. The guide, titled Staying Safe in South Africa, equips foreign visitors with practical tools to navigate South Africa’s uniquely high-risk crime environment. According to AfriForum, international visitors often underestimate the level of violent and opportunistic crime in the country, making them highly vulnerable. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says the organisation’s goal is not to scare visitors, but to empower them.

European Council president, António Costa, has meanwhile affirmed Africa as a strategic partner, praising South Africa’s G20 leadership. Speaking in Sandton, Johannesburg, Costa emphasised the EU’s commitment to multilateral cooperation to tackle global challenges, including debt relief, climate change, and sustainable development. Costa highlighted the union’s efforts to support Africa’s growth, diversify critical minerals supply chains, and strengthen partnerships. He commended president Cyril Ramaphosa for advancing solidarity, equality, and multilateralism:

# Government has welcomed the decision by the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee to cut the interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing the repo rate to 6.75-percent. Commerical banks’ prime lending rate is now 10.25-percent. Acting government spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa, says the rate cut is expected to ease pressure on consumers with loans, support small businesses, and encourage investment and economic activity:

# Rugby: Eleven players involved in the Sevens World Championship victory in Los Angeles in May will be part of the Springbok Sevens squad for the season opener in Dubai next weekend. Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman also added experienced stalwarts Christie Grobbelaar and Donovan Don to his team. Impi Visser will take over the captaincy from Selvyn Davids, who will share vice-captain responsibilities with Zain Davids. Snyman says it was tough to settle on his final squad, as the pre-season delivered fierce competition for team slots.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-41-cents and the euro at 20-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-937-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-46-dollars-79-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….