News 12:00

BULLETIN 13 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AgriSA reports a record 124.7-billion-rand agricultural trade surplus in 2025
# The government adopts a fiscal anchor to improve public spending
# And the SA Weather Service confirms record-breaking heat across the Western Cape

# AgriSA says the agricultural sector has recorded a historic trade surplus of 124.7-billion-rand last year. Exports rose to 266-billion-rand, while imports were 141.6-billion-rand. Citrus, grapes, apples, pears, nuts and wine led export growth, and sales to Africa grew 76-percent over five years. AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé warns livestock disease, port problems, and rising competition could affect future growth, but the sector remains a key source of foreign income and a driver of global competitiveness.

# Government has adopted a principles-based fiscal anchor, which will require governing administrations to outline a detailed fiscal plan to ensure debt remains on a sustainable path. The goal is to control spending and put debt on a downward path, after a projected peak of around 79-percent in the fiscal year that ends on 31 March. National Treasury says this framework is better suited to South Africa’s institutional and economic context, and provides the flexibility needed to respond to economic shocks while maintaining fiscal discipline.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta says school civvies days are putting unnecessary pressure on learners and parents. Makaneta argues while intended as fun, these uniform-free days often force families to spend money on new clothes, so children don’t feel judged. He urges the Department of Basic Education to make participation optional and to ensure all learners feel included and valued:

# Tennis: World number one Carlos Alcaraz of Spain is through to his fifth consecutive Indian Wells semifinal after beating Britain’s Cameron Norrie. He will face Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who beat defending champion Jack Draper of Britain. World number two Jannik Sinner earned a straight sets victory over American Learner Tien. The Italian will face Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who defeated Frenchman Arthur Fils. In the women’s draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus beat Canada’s Victoria Mboko to make the semifinals.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-93-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-44-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-518-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-65-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Weather Service says a record-breaking heatwave is sweeping the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape and the Western Cape, with temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius in some areas. Cape Town and surrounding regions have also seen their highest March temperatures in over a decade. Senior forecaster Stella Nake urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid the midday sun, and check on vulnerable people:

Stay tuned for more news………….