News 18:00

BULLETIN 21 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Donald Trump tells the World Economic Forum, Europe is struggling while the United States booms
# The Trade minister sets out South Africa’s just energy transition strategy at the World Economic Forum
# And, FNB expects softer inflation ahead as fuel prices fall and the rand remains supported

# US president Donald Trump says America is experiencing record economic growth, with stock markets at all-time highs, historic levels of investment, and over a million people lifted off food support. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump credited his administration’s policies on taxes, energy, trade, and deregulation for boosting jobs, steel production, and factory construction. He warned that Europe is not heading in the right direction:

# Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau says South Africa is positioning itself at the centre of the global energy transition by leveraging critical minerals for industrialisation. Speaking on the sidelines at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tau outlined a new industrial policy anchored on decarbonisation, diversification and digitisation. He said the focus is shifting from raw mineral exports to investment-led partnerships that promote local processing, manufacturing and regional value chains.

# FNB says inflation is likely to ease in the coming months as fuel prices come down and the rand stays relatively strong. Headline inflation rose slightly to 3.6-percent last month, mainly due to higher fuel and service costs, but overall price pressures remain under control. FNB economist Koketso Mano says this outlook should allow the South African Reserve Bank to keep rates unchanged for now, with possible cuts later in the year:

# SA National Aids Council Children’s Sector expresses condolences to families after the learner transport accident in Vanderbijlpark, which killed 12 children. The sector’s Oupa Shumeni says the forum calls for urgent accountability from Learner Transport Associations and the Department of Education. He says the forum is demanding safety enforcement, driver vetting, and transparent investigation. He adds that children have the right to travel safely and that negligence cannot continue:

# Rugby: Versatile back player Wandi Simelane has extended his contract with the Stormers until 2028. He moved to Cape Town from the Bulls in early 2024 after starting his professional career at the Lions. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson says Simelane’s game had developed well over the past two years. He is impressed by the way he had applied himself to improve all areas of his game. Simelane says he has no doubt Cape Town is the best place for him.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-29-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-562-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-852-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….