News 07:00

BULLETIN 7 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Meth says the Employment Services Amendment Bill charts a balanced path forward
# An Investec economist says better logistics could unlock South Africa’s mining growth
# And, Donald Trump strongly denies reports that the US is suffering a munitions shortage

# Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, says South Africa, as a significant destination for migrants, must balance the legitimate employment aspirations of its citizens with the country’s constitutional, regional and international obligations. She presented the Employment Services Amendment Bill to Parliament. Broadly, the bill aims to tighten enforcement against the employment of undocumented foreign nationals in the country. Meth has stressed that the bill is not aimed at denying migrant workers their rights, but rather at ensuring that all workers are protected from unfair labour practices and exploitation.

# Investec economist Lara Hodes says South Africa’s mining sector remains a major contributor to economic growth, supported by the country’s rich mineral resources. According to Hodes, strong global demand for platinum group metals, gold, coal, iron ore, manganese and chrome continues to support exports. She added that fixing electricity and logistics problems could boost production and exports even further:

# eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba has expressed shock at the murder of ANC ward councillor Sibusiso Khwela in Klaarwater, west of Durban. Preliminary investigations suggest the deceased was in his office with several community members when an unknown suspect entered and shot him several times before fleeing the scene. Khwela was responsible for Ward 17 in eThekwini. The SAPS Political Killings Task Team will investigate the case. Xaba says they won’t speculate on the motive for Khwela’s murder:

# US president Donald Trump says America’s munitions stockpile is massive and expanding at historic speed. Reports claim that the US military has exhausted nearly 80-percent of its interceptors for its key Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile. According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, by the end of July, the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles left, down from two-thousand-330 before the conflict with Iran began. In a post on Truth Social, Trump vowed to seek long-term jail sentences for those suspected of leaking information.

# Rugby: Stormers coach John Dobson says he expects a major clash of styles as his physical side prepare to face the All Blacks’ fast-paced game in Cape Town tonight. He says that playing in the United Rugby Championship means that the Stormers haven’t come across such a distinctive playing style as the All Blacks before. However, Dobson suggested that his side’s best chance lies in imposing themselves physically and forcing the visitors out of their comfort zone:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-35-cents and the euro at 18-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand, and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-269-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-258-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 86-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

# And finally, two South African innovators have been shortlisted for the 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Chemical engineer professor Dyllon Randall was recognised for developing a urine-to-fertiliser recovery system, while biomedical researcher Sincengile Ntshingila was shortlisted for creating a virtual tissue culture training platform. The finalists will compete in Johannesburg in October for the top prize of over one-million-rand, while also receiving business training and mentorship to help commercialise their innovations.

Stay tuned for more news………….