News 07:00

BULLETIN 10 Desember 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Gwarube says the government is focused on eradicating pit toilets
# Business Leadership SA says the fruits of the reforms in the energy sector are starting to show
# And the US warns ISIS could take advantage of the situation in Syria

# Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube says eradicating pit toilets is not just a safety issue but about dignity. She launched the Safe Schools App on Monday, as part of efforts to eradicate school pit toilets nationwide. A total of 652 schools across the country still use pit toilets. Gwarube says the app is a technological breakthrough that will provide an equitable, safe, and dignified learning environment for schoolchildren:

# Business Leadership South Africa says while South Africa is starting to see the fruits of energy sector reforms, it still has a long way to go to fix the water, transport, and logistics sectors. The organisation says business confidence is showing signs of improving in light of changes, and the National Prosecuting Authority continues to regain its capacity. CEO Busiswe Mavuso says there is still work to do, as the disappointing third-quarter gross domestic product growth figures revealed that parts of the economy are still struggling.

# South African Reserve Bank governor, Lesetja Kganyago, has stressed the importance of cautious policymaking to avoid future regret, amid uncertainty. Speaking on CNBC Africa, Kganyago highlighted the need to focus on future data, not past trends. The central bank recently cut the interest rate to 7.75-percent as inflation cooled to 2.8-percent in October. However, Kganyago noted rates remain restrictive and called for a lower inflation target to enhance South Africa’s global competitiveness.

# Investigations are ongoing after Gauteng police successfully rescued two businessmen and arrested seven kidnappers in the past week. On Saturday, a Chinese businessman was kidnapped in Springs, Ekurhuleni. Within 24 hours, a multi-disciplinary team tracked down the suspects, arrested two, and rescued the victim. In a separate incident last Sunday, another businessman was kidnapped in Wierdabrug, Centurion. Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says firearms, vehicles, and cell phones were seized during the operation:

# US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has warned that ISIS could attempt to take advantage of the situation in Syria. America struck over 75 ISIS targets in central Syria on Sunday, as president Bashar al-Assad lost control of Syria after more than 50 years of brutal dictatorship. Austin called the rapid overthrow of the Syrian regime surprising to the entire international community. He says the strikes were part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS:

# Cricket: Experienced Australian quick bowler Josh Hazlewood could return for the third Test against India, starting in Brisbane on Saturday. He missed the second Test in Adelaide with a side strain, with the Baggy Green winning by ten wickets within three days to square the five-match series. Hazlewood was replaced by Scott Boland, who took five wickets in the two innings. Australia and India, together with log-leader South Africa, are the only teams still in the running for the final of the World Test Championship.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-81-cents and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-5-dollar-90-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-662-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-97-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….