News 06:00

BULLETIN 26 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says the national budget is evidence that the ANC no longer governs alone
# The Madlanga commission engages the Presidency on a possible extension
# And cricket: Enoch Nkwe says Shukri Conrad gets results because the players know what he wants

# The DA says the 2026 national budget was evidence of coalition influence, particularly in tax and small-business policy. Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana tabled the budget in Parliament on Wednesday, where he projected gross domestic product growth of 1.8-percent over the medium term, withdrew the 20-billion-rand in tax increases provisionally included in the May 2025 budget, and increased social grants. The DA’s Mark Burke says no budget is perfect, but this one is an improvement:

Meanwhile, the outgoing South African Revenue Service Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has expressed pride and mixed emotions during his final National Budget Review address attendance. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Kieswetter says SARS has been rebuilt into a trusted, world-class institution capable of supporting government service delivery. While relieved to leave what he calls the “hot seat,” he says it has been a privilege to position SARS for a stronger, more credible future:

# The Madlanga commission is in talks with the Presidency over a possible extension of its March 17 deadline. The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is investigating allegations of corruption and political interference within the criminal law system. Spokesperson Jeremy Michaels cites absent witnesses and the broad scope of the mandate, which has compounded the commission’s delays since its inception in September.

# Deputy minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has called for stronger investment and action to grow Africa’s green economy. Speaking at the Africa green economy summit in Cape Town, Singh said transitioning to clean energy, sustainable transport, and climate-smart farming is essential for economic growth and job creation. He also urged greater collaboration between governments, businesses, and investors to ensure Africa remains competitive while building a low-carbon and sustainable future.

# Ukraine’s negotiators are expected to meet with US representatives, including president Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, in Geneva, Switzerland, today. Moscow and Kyiv remain at odds over who gets what land in a post-war settlement. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says the meeting will form part of preparations for a trilateral meeting with Russia, which will possibly take place early next month. He says other issues on the agenda are prisoner-of-war exchanges and a prosperity package for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

# Cricket: Cricket South Africa’s director of national teams and high performance, Enoch Nkwe, says Proteas coach Shukri Conrad gets the results because the players know what he wants. Conrad took control of all three formats last year. Nkwe says he succeeded in shaping the T20 team into a ruthless unit able to slay hosts India in the T20 World Cup before over 90-thousand cheering home supporters in Ahmedabad. South Africa plays the West Indies in the same stadium in the Super Eights today

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-83-cents and the euro at 18-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-45-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-152-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-164-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….