News 07:00

BULLETIN 6 June 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fitch Ratings anticipates South Africa’s debt and GDP will stabilise over the next two years at around 80%
# Cabinet supports Africa-wide effort to contain Ebola outbreak
# And rugby: The Blitzboks power back against Kenya

# Fitch Ratings has anticipated South Africa’s debt and gross domestic product will stabilise over the next two years at around 80-percent of GDP including local government debt, well above the 2027 ‘BB’ median of 53-percent. It says debt stabilisation is due to improved fiscal performance and stock-flow adjustments with drawdowns on deposits and lower discounts at issuance, the latter reflecting improved market sentiment. Fitch Ratings says it forecast real GDP growth will remain low but increase slightly from an average of 0.7-percent in 2023 to 2024 and 1.1-percent in 2025 to 1.4-percent in 2027, against a ‘BB’ median of 4-percent.

Cabinet has approved South Africa’s pledge of approximately 95-million-rand, to support a continental response plan following the Ebola outbreak in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, told the media the funds will contribute to preparedness and response efforts across Africa. Ntshavheni also reassured the public that there is no Ebola risk in South Africa:

# The DA says stronger police investigations are needed to improve conviction rates in sexual offence cases. The party states more than half of statutory rape cases in the province were withdrawn between 2020 and last year. According to police figures, 544 cases were reported, with 280 withdrawn and only 124 resulting in convictions. The DA’s Benedicta van Minnen calls for improved investigative capacity, better cooperation between police and prosecutors, and enhanced training for officers:

# Trade union Solidarity says the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s new content-sharing regulations could negatively affect community radio stations and independent content creators. The union calls for the rules to be paused until legal certainty is established. Solidarity’s Riaan Visser warns that restrictions on the use of independently produced content could reduce media diversity and harm smaller stations that rely on content partnerships.

# Rugby: The Springbok Sevens side bounced back from their earlier shock defeat at the hands of Great Britain to beat Kenya 26-5 at the Bordeaux Sevens on Friday night. The Blitzboks had lost in extra time to Great Britain, denting their hopes of winning the World Championship, but their performance in the second game against Kenya was something special, as they showed determination and savvy to ensure the victory. The South Africans will face Fiji at 11:06 this morning.

# And still with rugby: Ireland will have the services of head coach Andy Farrell for another five years after he signed a contract extension until 2031. The 50-year-old joined the Irish after the World Cup in 2019 and led them to two Six Nations titles and a series victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand. Farrell also coached the victorious British and Irish Lions in Australia last year. He will now lead the country to the next two World Cups in Australia next year and the US in 2031.

Stay tuned for more news………….