News 06:00

BULLETIN 17 July 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the government of national unity will prioritise state capability
# The cabin crew union is trying to avoid a strike at FlySafair
# A conference for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine is set up

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity will focus on economic reform, fighting crime, and building a capable state. Delivering the Presidency budget vote in Parliament, Ramaphosa said all departments must work together to grow the economy, reduce poverty, and improve service delivery. He added that the GNU aims to rebuild trust and deliver real change, with the national dialogue as a key platform to unite South Africans:

# The Forum for South Africa has accused president Cyril Ramaphosa of abusing power to shield corruption while burdening taxpayers. FOSA spokesperson Tebogo Mashilompane says Ramaphosa protects the elite and ignores the struggles of ordinary South Africans. Mashilompane criticises his failure to fire Police minister Senzo Mchunu, who allegedly lied under oath. He says the organisation is demanding Ramaphosa’s immediate resignation:

# The South African Cabin Crew Association says its FlySafair cabin crew members are looking to avoid a strike. This comes as Solidarity, which represents around two-thirds of the airline’s pilots, is likely to strike next week, following members’ rejection of the final wage offer. FlySafair’s final offer included a 5.7-percent salary increase and additional compensation adjustments. Sacca, which has tabled a 15-percent wage increase for the 2025/2026 financial year, says wage negotiations with the airline have progressed well.

# The Eastern Cape government says the estimated amount needed to deal with overall damage to all infrastructure following the recent floods stands at 5.1-billion-rand. At least 103 people died when devastating floods hit Mthatha and Butterworth in June, while 100 of those have been positively identified and buried. A 13-year-old boy remains missing. Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Zolile Williams, says 120-million-rand has been allocated for temporary relocations:

# International envoys will discuss a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at UN headquarters in New York this month, before national leaders meet in September. The conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was originally planned for mid-June to revive work on the long-standing diplomatic effort to find a way for the Israeli and Palestinian states to live side-by-side in peace. It was postponed at the last minute after Israel’s military campaign against Iran. Last week, diplomatic sources said the conference had been rescheduled for 28 and 29 July.

# Golf: Ten South Africans will tee off in the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland today. Among them are the 2010 champion, Louis Oosthuizen, and the country’s top-ranked player, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, with Dean Burmester, Erik van Rooyen, and Thriston Lawrence also in the mix. Defending champion Xander Schauffele of America will play alongside compatriot JJ Spaun and Spain’s Jon Rahm in the first two rounds, while world number one, Scottie Scheffler of America, is grouped with compatriot Collin Morikawa and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 118-thousand-689-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-345-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….