News 06:00

BULLETIN 19 June 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# High-level attendance is expected at president Ramaphosa’s inauguration ceremony today
# The power and water to the Gupta mansion in Saxonwold is disconnected
# And cricket: The Proteas kick off the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup against the USA

# Eighteen heads of State and Government, three former heads of State, and nine heads of delegations are confirmed to attend the inauguration of president Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today. Nations represented include eSwatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Tanzania, Uganda, China, Egypt, Palestine, and Cuba. Representatives from Sadec, the African Union, and the United Nations will also attend. The event is themed 30 Years of Democracy, Partnership and Growth.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will today administer the oath of office to Ramaphosa in the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre. The proceedings will feature ceremonial elements by the South African National Defence Force, including a 21-gun salute and an Air Force flyover, culminating in Ramaphosa’s inaugural address.

# The Competition Commission says the inquiry into Simba, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, has raised concerns regarding its practices related to plant breeders’ rights. The inquiry suggests that Simba may be strategically discontinuing the use of certain plant varieties before their planned expiry and replacing them with new fully protected varieties. In a media briefing, Fresh Produce Market Inquiry chairperson Hardin Ratshisusu says this strategy could limit access to genetic material, potentially hindering fair competition:

# The City of Johannesburg has confirmed that it has cut power and water to the Saxonwold mansion formerly owned by the controversial Gupta family. Services were discontinued last week, and City officials inspected the property again yesterday for illegal connections. The City acted due to unpaid bills. The Gupta compound, worth over 20-million-rand, is infamous for its political gatherings during Jacob Zuma’s presidency. The City warns other defaulting communities of similar actions.

# Thailand’s Senate has passed a Marriage Equality Bill, making it the first Southeast Asian country to recognise same-sex marriage. The upper house approved the measure with 130 votes in favour, four against, and 18 abstentions. The bill awaits King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s assent. This will take effect 120 days after publication in the royal gazette. LGBTQ advocate and Thai television host, Woody Milintachinda hailed this as a monumental step forward:

# Cricket: The Proteas and the USA kick off the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup in Antigua this afternoon. South Africa survived by a run against Nepal in their previous game. With the likes of defending champion England and host West Indies also in Group 2, the Proteas can ill afford to let up against the Americans. They would like to start the Super Eight on a winning note. England face the Windies in the second game tonight in Saint Lucia.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-3-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-315-dollars-22-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-327-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….