News 07:00

BULLETIN 8 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Moody’s forecasts South Africa’s debt will stabilise this year before gradually declining
# Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s trial is set for July
# And, the Canary Islands are prepared to receive the hantavirus cruise ship

# Moody’s Ratings says improving fiscal performance and steady reform momentum support its view that South Africa’s debt will stabilise this year before gradually declining. The ratings agency estimates that general government debt peaked at 86.8-percent of gross domestic product in 2025, and forecasts a gradual easing to 84.9-percent by 2028. Moody’s has cautioned that if there is a sharp slowdown in global economic growth, it would probably disrupt South Africa’s economic recovery this year and in 2027, estimating the drag on growth at about 20 to 50 basis points.

# Build One South Africa says South Africans are ready for a fairer, more transparent labour market. More than one-thousand-200 written submissions in support of the Fair Pay Bill have been received within one week of its gazetting. The Bill, championed by BOSA in Parliament, seeks to amend the Employment Equity Act to introduce three critical reforms. Ending salary history discrimination, mandating salary transparency in job advertisements, and strengthening equal pay for equal work. BOSA says the bill is a direct response to a deeply felt injustice in the country’s economy.

# The trial of businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused is set to begin on 20 July in the Johannesburg High Court. Matlala and four others face 25 charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder linked to several alleged shooting incidents between 2022 and 2024. National Prosecuting Authority’s Magaboke Mohlatlole says the case involves coordinated attacks, while the defence is disputing access to key evidence, with a hearing set for next month:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says work to stabilise the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in North West is ongoing, and progress has been made in addressing service delivery concerns. The municipality faces challenges related to inadequate water and sanitation services, unreliable electricity supply, and poor road infrastructure. He visited the municipality yesterday, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen municipalities’ capacity to deliver basic services effectively. Mashatile says the government is acting decisively to restore governance and rebuild services in Ditsobotla:

# Spain’s Canary Islands are preparing to receive an Atlantic cruise ship carrying passengers affected by a hantavirus outbreak, after coordination with the World Health Organisation. Health authorities are putting measures in place for safe disembarkation and medical assessment of those on board, as the ship continues its route under strict monitoring. In a media briefing, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed confidence in Spain’s ability to manage the situation:

# Athletics: A team of 34 South African athletes will compete at the African Athletics Senior Track & Field Championships in Accra, Ghana, next week. They include 100-metre runner Bradley Nkoana, 800-metre runner Prudence Sekgodiso, hurdlers Rogail Joseph and Marione Fourie, long jumpers Luvo Manyonga, Danielle Nolte, and javelin thrower Jana van Schalkwyk. Ten of the athletes have previously earned medals at the continental championships. Athletics South Africa acting president, John Mathane, says the team is a good balance between experience and fresh glory seekers, but all are hungry for the podium.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-43-cents and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-783-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-713-dollars-34-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….