News 06:00

BULLETIN 19 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa unveils three strategic priorities of the government of national unity
# The ANC rejects Zuma’s request for his disciplinary hearing to be public
# And rugby: Portugal believes it can beat the Boks in tomorrow’s Test

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity has resolved to dedicate the next five years to actions that will advance three strategic priorities. These are to drive inclusive growth and job creation, reduce poverty, tackle the high cost of living, and build a capable, ethical, and developmental state. He delivered the opening of Parliament address at the City Hall in Cape Town yesterday evening. Ramaphosa says the government of national unity will act with great urgency, boldly and decisively:

Ramaphosa also says the government of national unity will pursue every action that contributes to sustainable, rapid economic growth, and remove every obstacle that stands in the way of growth. The president says they will continue to pursue programmes that encourage broad-based black economic empowerment, employment equity, and support to small and medium-sized enterprises:

# The ANC has rejected the request by former president Jacob Zuma to have his misconduct disciplinary hearing in public. He was due to appear before the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee virtually on Wednesday but was a no-show. The former president was represented by ANC member Tony Yengeni. The MK Party says Zuma wanted the hearing to be open to the public for transparency and accountability. ANC acting spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi said while the committee agreed to a postponement of the hearing, it would not be public or physical.

# The Fochville Magistrate’s Court has granted the driver involved in the deaths of eleven learners in Carletonville, Gauteng, 20-thousand-rand bail. Last week, Gert van Emmenis’ bakkie collided with a minibus taxi transporting the learners, which exploded. The NPA’s Lumka Mahanjana says the 55-year-old must hand over his passport and avoid witness interference:

# US president Joe Biden is extending his student loan forgiveness programme by canceling the loans of an additional 35-thousand Americans as he seeks reelection. The latest move, amounting to 22-billion-rand in student debt, brings to 4.76-million the number of people who benefitted from various debt relief actions. The borrowers include teachers, nurses, police officials, and first responders. The announcement came on the final day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination for the November election.

# Rugby: Portugal firmly believes it has the power to beat South Africa in tomorrow’s Test in Bloemfontein – the first ever between the two countries. The Wolves take heart from their unexpected victory over Fiji during last year’s World Cup in France. Portugal is currently in 15th position in the world rankings and the world champions in first. Portuguese captain Tomas Appleton says the Springboks influenced their game style, and his team wants to shock the world every time they are playing.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-25-cents and the euro at 19-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-614-dollars-24-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-434-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….