News 18:00

BULLETIN 14 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cyril Ramaphosa blames energy and logistics constraints for weak investment growth
# The challenges of Youth employment and gender-based violence will b highlighted at the 1976 commemoration
# And, Soccer: FIFA’s president says preparations for the World Cup are going well

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says energy shortages and logistics challenges have been major factors holding back investment and economic growth in South Africa. In his oral reply to questions in Parliament, Ramaphosa said ongoing electricity challenges and inefficiencies in the transport and freight system have discouraged companies from investing at higher levels. He added reforms in energy and logistics aim to boost investor confidence, improve productivity and drive economic growth and job creation:

# The minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga says South Africa faces a major challenge in absorbing educated young people into the economy. This comes as the country commemorated the 50th anniversary of 1976 Youth Uprising in Soweto. The year-long campaign honors the sacrifices of the students who shaped South Africa’s liberation struggle. Chikunga says the programme also creates dialogue on mental health, education, gender-based violence and social inclusion, while encouraging greater youth participation in nation-building and economic development.

# The Africa CEO Forum has officially opened in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together business leaders, investors and heads of state to discuss Africa’s economic growth and competitiveness. More than two-thousand-800 delegates from over 90 countries are attending the forum, themed The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership. Rwandan president Paul Kagame has urged African countries to take advantage of the continent’s vast solar energy, critical minerals and growing workforce:

# Soccer: FIFA president Gianni Infantino says with less than a month until the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, preparations for the tournament are going well. Forty-eight teams will compete in the expanded tournament across 16 cities from June 11 to July 19, with Mexico hosting South Africa in the opening match. As of late April, more than five million tickets were already sold. Infantino says he is expecting some surprises:

Meanwhile, Madonna, Shakira and K-pop boy band BTS will headline the Super Bowl-style half-time show at this year’s World Cup final in New Jersey in the US on 19 July. Colombian pop star Shakira is releasing her official World Cup song today. Sixty-seven-year-old Madonna will release her 15th album in July. BTS, the best-selling music act in South Korean history, will perform at the event in the middle of an 85-day world tour to celebrate their comeback after a three-year hiatus to complete their mandatory military service.

# And The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-46-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-749-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-686-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….