News 07:00

BULLETIN 13 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The FF Plus says the ANC is not ready for a genuine, reasoned, and solution-oriented dialogue
# The meat industry wants regionalisation agreements to safeguard exports
# And cricket: The T20 series between SA and Australia will be decided on Saturday

# The Freedom Front Plus says it has become abundantly clear that the ANC, as the largest party in the Government of National Unity, is not ready to have a genuine, reasoned, and solution-oriented dialogue. The party has withdrawn from this weekend’s national convention, which will set the agenda for the national dialogue. The FF Plus says it may be time to conduct an honest national dialogue, involving all those who are serious about progress and have the country’s best interests at heart, without the ANC.

# The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters says urgent regionalisation agreements are needed to protect South Africa’s beef exports during disease outbreaks. The meat industry body says such agreements with trade partners would prevent a complete export ban when diseases like foot-and-mouth-disease occur, restricting limitations only to affected areas. The association’s CEO, Imameleng Mothebe, says stronger health controls and better cooperation between government and industry are key to keeping the sector growing:

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has attributed instances of Technical Vocational Education and Training students not being paid their allowances to accounts that are not updated. The scheme has been plagued by controversy for years and faces persistent complaints from students over its failure to pay their accommodation and living allowances on time. Nsfas spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, says they recognise the impact of the delays as students depend entirely on their allowances for living expenses:

# Tshwane mayor, Nasiphi Moya, and city manager Johann Mettler could go to jail if they don’t fix the city’s fresh produce market. The High Court in Pretoria has given them 30 days to provide a plan to improve services like security and garbage collection, and to explain how 18-million-rand allocated for upgrades was spent. The court found Tshwane in contempt for failing to meet a 2022 order and suspended Moya and Mettler’s prison sentences for one year, pending compliance. The Institute of Market Agents had taken the city to court.

# The World Health Organisation has warned that public health conditions in Gaza are catastrophic, with hospitals operating far beyond capacity. Less than 50-percent of hospitals and 38-percent of primary healthcare centres are partly functional in Gaza. Since the start of 2025, 148 people have died from malnutrition, including 49 children. WHO’s doctor Rik Peeperkorn says access for international medical teams and supplies remains a major obstacle:

# Cricket: The T20 series decider between South Africa and Australia will be played in Cairns on Saturday after Dewald Brevis almost single-handedly beat the hosts in Darwin yesterday. He contributed an undefeated quick-fire 125 off just 56 balls – the highest T20 score ever for a Protea batter – and the visitors posted a mammoth 218 for seven. Brevis then took two catches while Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka both took three wickets. The Aussies were bowled out for 165. Australia won the first match by 17 runs.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-60-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-503-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-343-dollars-33-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….