News 13:00

BULLETIN 20 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau warns South Africa could lose over 13-billion-rand in exports if the Middle East conflict continues for months
# The MK Party calls for the strengthening of legislation to protect AmaKhosi, Khoi-San and traditional leaders
# And rugby: France and Ireland dominate the fan-voted Six Nations Team of the Championship

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has warned that a three-month conflict scenario in the Middle East could result in South Africa losing about 13.8-billion-rand in exports. Last year, the country recorded about 258-billion-rand in trade with the Middle East region. The disruption of global oil supply, particularly through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, has caused oil prices to skyrocket. Tau told parliamentarians that a collaborative effort is now required to navigate this storm:

# The MK Party is calling for a comprehensive review and strengthening of existing legislation,  to ensure that it provides clear, proactive and consistent protection for AmaKhosi, Khoi-San and traditional leaders. Last year, deputy president Paul Mashatile stated that the government of national unity is rolling out a traditional policing concept in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga alongside Provincial Task Teams. MK Party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, says the supposed benefits of this initiative have yet to materialise:

# Statistics South Africa reports a 10.5-percent decline in building plans passed for the three months ending January 2026. The drop is linked to reduced activity in non-residential projects and weak residential construction. Economist Roelof Botha warns of a potential housing shortage, citing high interest rates and municipal inefficiencies. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal recorded the biggest declines, raising concerns about the construction sector’s contribution to economic growth and job creation.

# Prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel and the US are acting together in Iran with great determination and unprecedented strength. The US-Israel war against Tehran is nearing the end of a third week, as Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Gulf nations are pushing global oil prices up. Netanyahu says they are winning and Iran is being decimated. The prime minister has outlined three clear goals of the war:

# Rugby: The Six Nations team of the championship has been picked, as voted for by the fans. France, who were crowned champions but failed to win the Grand Slam, has four players in the team, prolific wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, legendary scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, fullback Thomas Ramos and second row Mickael Guillard. Ireland also earned four spots in the side. Italy and Scotland both have three players included, with Wales’ Rhys Carré rounding out the team. Fifth-place England, which suffered their worst-ever tournament finish, doesn’t have a single player included.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-87-cents and the euro at 19-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-62-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-620-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-678-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….