News 09:00

BULLETIN 10 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the American Chamber of Commerce remains a credible voice
# SALGA calls for a coordinated national response to the water and sanitation crisis
# And tennis: Alcaraz and Sinner are through to the quarterfinals in Monte-Carlo

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa is a firm advocate for strengthening trade, investment, and commercial ties between the two countries. More than 600 American companies are operating in the country, and it is estimated that US companies employ more than 250-thousand South Africans. Addressing the American Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting in Johannesburg yesterday, Ramaphosa said, despite a difficult global environment, trade and investment relations between South Africa and the US are strong.

# The Public Servants Association urges the government to address structural issues in the fuel-pricing model, including taxes and levies that disproportionately affect workers. This comes as the government is exploring measures to ease the rising cost of fuel in the country, drawing on interventions implemented by other countries facing similar challenges. PSA’s Claude Naicker says rising fuel costs are, apart from an energy issue, also a labour, economic, and social justice issue:

# The South African Local Government Association says nearly half of wastewater systems are in a critical condition, mainly due to ageing infrastructure, skills shortages and financial constraints. SALGA spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says the findings from the latest green drop, blue drop and no drop reports show continued pressure on municipal water systems, with rising risks to wastewater treatment and drinking water quality. Modiba calls for a coordinated national response to address the crisis:

# Tennis: World number one Carlos Alcaraz of Spain is through to the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters after battling past Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, to keep his title defence alive. Italian Jannik Sinner remains in contention to reclaim the world number one ranking, after defeating Czech Tomas Machac, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3. Valentin Vacherot is the first Monegasque player in the Open Era to reach the last eight in Monte-Carlo after beating world number six Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-1-cent, and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-937-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-765-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has congratulated Team South Africa for a brilliant performance at the 8th African Spelling Bee competition that took place in Harare, Zimbabwe. The team finished first in the overall rankings, followed by Nigeria in second place and home team Zimbabwe in third place. Thirteen-year-old Ashton Singh secured second place in the junior division. The department’s Terrence Khala says this victory is about discipline, confidence and a love for languages:

Stay tuned for more news………….