News 06:00

BULLETIN 1 April 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ArcelorMittal defers its long steel business closure
# Eskom’s power stations get conditional pollution exemptions
# And the US converts offices in Pretoria into refugee processing centres for Afrikaners

# ArcelorMittal South Africa has deferred the decision to wind down its long steel business by at least six months, to August 31st. This as it has received a 1.68-billion-rand loan from the government’s Industrial Development Corporation. The company has also received a Temporary Employee Relief Scheme grant to fund employee costs. The steelmaker wanted to close its long steel operations in Newcastle and Vereeniging. ArcelorMittal says this government intervention will assist in keeping its long steel business operational while a viable long-term solution is being sought.

# Environment minister Dion George has granted Eskom air-pollution exemptions for eight coal power stations but insists this is not a blanket reprieve. The exemptions, lasting five years for six stations and until 2034 for two, come with strict conditions. These include air quality monitoring, health programmes, emissions reduction, and renewable energy integration. The minister stressed that Eskom remains accountable and must act urgently to reduce pollution while ensuring energy security:

Meanwhile, Eskom will review the decision by minister George. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says the decision allows Medupi, Majuba, Matimba, Kendal, Lethabo, Tutuka, Matla, and Duvha to continue operating. She says that Eskom remains committed to compliance, environmental responsibility, and ongoing engagement with regulators and stakeholders.

# Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube stressed the importance of teaching boys respect for women from an early age to combat gender-based violence. Speaking at the Uyinene Mrwetyana commemoration lecture, she urged schools to strengthen gender-based violence awareness programmes and collaborate with stakeholders to address the issue at its roots. She highlighted education as a key tool in fostering protection for women and children:

# US president Donald Trump’s administration has launched ‘Mission South Africa’, a programme prioritising white Afrikaners for refugee resettlement. Documents obtained by The New York Times reveal that US officials have set up refugee centres in Pretoria and are reviewing over eight-thousand-200 applications, with a special focus on Afrikaner farmers. By mid-April, they will submit recommendations on how to move forward with the programme. The move has sparked controversy, with experts warning it undermines longstanding refugee policies.

# Golf: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is now only the second player after American Tiger Woods to exceed 1.8-billion-rand in PGA Tour career earnings. He reached the milestone when he ended tied fifth in the Houston Open. Thirty-five-year-old McIlroy won 28 tournaments since turning professional in 2010. Forty-nine-year-old Woods surpassed the milestone in 2012 and has since earned another 400-million-rand. Third on the list is another American, Phil Mickelson, who earned 1.7-billion-rand before leaving the PGA in 2022 for LIV Golf, where he reportedly earned 3.6-billion-rand.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-30-cents and the euro at 19-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-286-dollar-20-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-125-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….