News 09:00

BULLETIN 31 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa calls for a faster infrastructure drive across Africa
# The Bureau for Economic Research says the focus should be on boosting fixed investment in 2026
# And rugby: The Sharks and Stormers are set for an intense rematch in Durban

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative will intensify efforts in 2026 to accelerate development across the continent. Speaking virtually at the first meeting of heads of state and government of the initiative, Ramaphosa described infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth. The president emphasised that Africa could double its gross domestic product by 2040 with increased investment. Ramaphosa cited progress on projects like the Trans-Saharan Highway and fibre links. He urges stronger political leadership and innovative financing to close Africa’s funding gap.

# United Africans Transformation has pledged to stand with youth and workers against economic exclusion. The party argues Black Economic Empowerment has been hijacked to enrich a small, politically connected elite, leaving millions of South Africans unemployed and trapped in poverty. UAT’s Tsakane Manganyi calls for a full BEE and procurement review, merit-based opportunities, and stronger support for youth, small businesses, and workers to ensure real economic transformation:

# City of Johannesburg special projects adviser to the City Manager’s office, Mesuli Mlandu, told parliament’s ad hoc committee that former mayor Herman Mashaba allegedly unlawfully appointed suspended deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. Mlandu claimed Sibiya bypassed formal recruitment, held bogus titles, and facilitated irregular expenditure of about 580-million-rand. He called for accountability and legal action to address corruption in Sibiya’s controversial tenure within the city’s forensic services:

# The Bureau for Economic Research says South Africa’s New Year’s resolution should be to unleash fixed investment. The latest First National Bank/BER Civil Construction Survey shows growing confidence in infrastructure, with more than half of contractors satisfied with current business conditions and work availability improving. However, government infrastructure spending remains low, and delays, crime, and corruption continue to challenge the sector. The bureau says faster reforms and better systems are needed to turn growing confidence into real investment and job creation this year.

# President Donald Trump nominated conservative economist Kevin Warsh as the new chair of the US Federal Reserve. The 55-year-old, who served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, is an outspoken critic of the central bank. According to the BBC, Trump’s pick is a rare candidate who appears to appease both the president and investors. The central bank has been under political pressure from the White House about how it sets interest rates. Trump had been expected to nominate a successor to Jerome Powell, whom he has frequently criticised for not cutting interest rates faster.

# And rugby: The Sharks will host the Stormers in a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship coastal derby in Durban this afternoon, aiming for a repeat of last weekend’s upset victory in Cape Town. The Durban side ended the Stormers’ unbeaten run with a hard-fought 30-19 victory. Changes to their starting line-up include the return of Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe and scrumhalf Grant Williams. The Stormers welcome back key forwards Evan Roos and Adré Smith. Meanwhile, the Lions will host the Bulls in the ‘Jukskei’ derby at Ellis Park in Johannesburg at 2.30 pm.

Stay tuned for more news………….