News 06:00

BULLETIN 4 December 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Simelane is moved from Justice and Constitutional Development to Human Settlements
# The DA urges president Ramaphosa to speed up rail, ports, and energy reforms
# And cricket: The Protea Women take on England in their first ODI in Kimberley

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has changed his cabinet, moving Justice and Constitutional Development minister Thembi Simelane to Human Settlements. Human Settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi will replace her. Simelane has been under pressure following revelations that she received a loan from VBS-linked Gundo Wealth Solutions in 2016 while she was Polokwane mayor. Deputy minister of Labour and Employment Phumzile Mgcina is now the deputy minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, swapping positions with Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, who has been appointed the deputy minister of Employment and Labour.

# The DA is calling on president Ramaphosa to fast-track key economic reforms following disappointing 0.3-percent third-quarter gross domestic product figures. While recent data shows a drop in unemployment and growth in the construction sector, the party believes faster reforms are essential to boost economic recovery. The DA’s Willie Aucamp welcomed forecasts from the International Monetary Fund predicting 1.1-percent growth this year and 1.5-percent next year:

ActionSA’s Alan Beesley has meanwhile criticised South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product contraction, with agriculture down 29-percent. Stats SA cites failing infrastructure, policy uncertainty, and poor management as key factors. Freight rail volumes fell 26-percent, and ports underperformed. He calls for bold reforms and infrastructure investment, urging the government to fulfill promises of inclusive growth and job creation:

# More bodies are expected to be retrieved from shaft eleven at Stilfontein mine in the North West after illegal miners reported multiple deaths underground. Yesterday community volunteers recovered a decomposed body following a note from the miners, who requested urgent help due to the stench. The letter confirmed at least five more fatalities. Paramedics were on-site, and authorities say DNA testing will be needed to identify the remains. Efforts to retrieve the remaining bodies are ongoing.

# President Ramaphosa and Nigerian president Bola Tinubu reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries, built on over 30-years of mutual respect and cooperation. Yesterday, Ramaphosa welcomed Tinubu and his delegation for the 11th bi-national commission talks. He expressed optimism for deeper economic cooperation, focusing on removing investment barriers and fostering stronger business ties:

# Cricket: The Proteas Women take on England in the first of three one-day matches in Kimberley this afternoon after the visitors made a clean sweep in the three-match T20 series. The next two matches will take the teams to Durban on Sunday, and Potchefstroom next Wednesday. The women will then play a one-off Test in Bloemfontein, starting on the 15th of this month. England is currently second in the ODI world rankings behind Australia. The Proteas are in fourth position behind India.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-11-cents and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-19-dollar-25-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-641-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….