News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says the government is working on bridging the US funding gap
# The Public Servants Association wants Nersa to reconsider Eskom’s tariff increase
# And Donald Trump imposes a tariff on countries buying oil or gas from Venezuela

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says there is an urgent need for contingency planning and building a resilient health system that can withstand external shocks. South Africa is one of the countries affected by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief aid funding cuts. PEPFAR funding amounted to 17-percent of the country’s overall HIV response. Mashatile says government is working on contingency measures to close the gap left by the withdrawal of US foreign aid:

# The Public Servants Association is urging the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to reconsider its decision to grant Eskom’s tariff increase request. The regulator has approved a 12-percent tariff increase for the power utility in the 2025/2026 financial year, which will kick in on the first of April, 11-percent increase for the 2026/2027, and a 9.1-percent hike for 2027/2028. The association believes that the approval of such a significant increase is unjustifiable given the ongoing issues of mismanagement and corruption at Eskom.

# The Automobile Association has slammed the Gautrain expansion as a misguided decision, citing a five-million-passenger decline over four years. Despite financial struggles, authorities plan a 120-billion-rand expansion, claiming it will create 125-thousand jobs. AA spokesperson, Eleanor Mavimbela argues that funds should instead improve roads, taxis, and buses, benefiting the majority. It warns that Gautrain remains an elitist service, urging the government to invest in inclusive transport solutions that serve all South Africans.

# Western Cape premier Alan Winde has welcomed Transport minister Barbara Creecy’s plan to seek private sector investment in South Africa’s rail and port sectors. Winde says the move is crucial for economic growth, as the Port of Cape Town and regional rail corridors need urgent upgrades. Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis rallied support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to create jobs and improve efficiency. The city urges swift action to meet the August deadline for procurement.

# US president Donald Trump says America will impose a 25-percent tariff on all imports from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela. He alleges that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent criminals, including violent individuals and members of gangs to the US. Last week, more than 250 mainly Venezuelan alleged gang members were deported to El Salvador. Venezuela was one of the top foreign suppliers of oil to the US last year. Trump says Venezuela has been very hostile to America and the freedoms that it promotes. 

# Rugby: Experienced Blitzboks player Siviwe Soyizwapi says they are well on their way to realise their dream to finish in the top four of every tournament in the current World Series. South Africa is currently fourth in the standings behind Argentina, Spain, and Fiji after four rounds, having won in Cape Town and ending second in Vancouver. Soyizwapi says they are well-prepared for this weekend’s tournament in Hong Kong, and determined to succeed. He says they have become contenders in each tournament they play in.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-23-cents and the euro at 19-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-287-dollar-60-cents. Gold sells at three-thousand-13-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….