News 06:00

BULLETIN 14 August 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the signing of performance agreements for ministers will happen soon
# Mpox is declared a health emergency in Africa
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus denies he is disrespecting the Wallabies with a different team for Perth

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the signing of performance agreements for ministers in the government of national unity will happen after the approval of the Medium-Term Development Plan. The Cabinet is still considering the plan. In 2020, Ramaphosa announced he had signed performance agreements with ministers, but progress was never made public. In a written reply to a parliamentary question from the EFF, the president says the expectations of ministerial performance are entrenched in the Constitution, and not entirely dependent on the signing of performance agreements.

# ActionSA has voiced serious concerns following Statistics SA’s report that South Africa’s unemployment rate has risen to 33.5-percent, with the expanded rate hitting 42.6-percent. ActionSA’s Athol Trollip says the party notes a dramatic increase in the number of unemployed, as youth unemployment has also surged to 60.8-percent. He has criticised the government for failing to address the crisis and urges immediate implementation of effective economic policies:

Meanwhile, the GOOD Party also condemns the rising unemployment rate, affecting 8.4-million people. The party argues that with over 76-percent of the unemployed out of work for more than a year, there is an urgent need for a basic income grant and significant economic growth to address the crisis. GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron, calls for a comprehensive overhaul of social security, criticising the current inadequate support and unfulfilled promises: 

# The ANC in Johannesburg has pledged a smooth transition following mayor Kabelo Gwamanda’s resignation. The speaker Margaret Arnolds has announced a special council meeting to elect a new mayor and ensure continuity in governance. This decision comes after thorough discussions within the ANC and its coalition partners. Briefing the media, ANC regional secretary, Sasabona Manganye commended Gwamanda for his service and asserted the party is focused on maintaining stability and effective service delivery during the transition:

# The Africa Centre for Diseases Control has declared mpox a health emergency after a rapid increase in infections on the continent. Since the beginning of the year, more than 13-thousand-700 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone. The virus has spread to other African countries including South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda. This declaration will help governments coordinate their response and get financial aid. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation will today deliberate on whether a Public Health Emergency of International Concern should be declared.

# Rugby: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he isn’t disrespectful towards the Wallabies by choosing a totally different team for Saturday’s second Rugby Championship Test in Perth. He made ten changes to the starting team that demolished Australia 33-7 in Brisbane, resting captain Siya Kolisi and other experienced players. Erasmus says there is enough depth to limit the risk by including several young players. He says he backs the team to see off what he expects to be a much-improved Wallabies challenge.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-10-cents and the euro at 19-rand-91-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-419-dollars-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-463-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….