News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA urges bold economic reforms ahead of the national budget
# British members of Parliament back the release of Andrew’s trade envoy files
# And golf: Ernie Els leads a strong SA Open field

# Build One South Africa has called on the minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, to deliver a national budget that prioritises economic growth, job creation, and relief for struggling households. The party proposed a 100-billion-rand jobs fund, more spending on infrastructure, education, and policing, and cutting government waste to restore public confidence and bring real change. BOSA’s Roger Solomons says the rising cost of living, high debt levels, and slow economic growth require urgent action:

Meanwhile, the IFP says it expects the budget to prioritise social services, infrastructure investment, and support for poor households. The party is calling for increased funding for education, healthcare, and social grants to help vulnerable communities cope with the rising cost of living. It also wants stronger investment in infrastructure to create jobs, improved local government service delivery, and more resources to fight gender-based violence, including support for shelters and police units.

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is calling for greater clarity on how the government intends to fund the response to gender-based violence and femicide. This follows its classification as a national disaster. South Africa’s femicide rate stands at nine per 100-thousand women, which is five times the global average. A total of 957 women were murdered between July and September 2024 alone. Committee chairperson, Liezl van der Merwe, says if this declaration is to translate into meaningful change, it must be accompanied by the necessary financial commitments.

# AfriForum says the Ngwathe Municipality in the Free State is in crisis. They accuse mayor Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni of ignoring a court order and planning another appeal without council approval. The civil rights organisation says the continued legal appeals delay accountability and waste taxpayer money. AfriForum’s Alta Pretorius claims service delivery in the area has deteriorated, citing dozens of water and power outages in Parys, as well as ongoing sewage spills:

# British members of Parliament have officially backed the release of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a UK trade envoy in 2001. The former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He stands accused of sharing confidential government information with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy, allegations he has denied. Trade minister Chris Bryant criticised Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrogance:

# Golf: The second-oldest open competition in golf, the South African Open Championship, returns for its 115th edition at the Stellenbosch Golf Club this week. Five-time major champion Ernie Els joins a local challenge that includes Charl Schwartzel, defending champion Dylan Naidoo, and former champions Dean Burmester, Daniel van Tonder, and Branden Grace. American Patrick Reed will attempt to win for the third time in four starts. The winner of this year’s SA Open will earn an exemption to the 2026 Masters.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-95-cents and the euro at 18-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-26-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-185-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….