News 07:00

BULLETIN 25 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau is tasked with appointing a new Lotteries Commission chair
# Eskom celebrates 100 consecutive days without load-shedding
# And rugby: The Bok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye tests positive for a banned substance

# Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau is expected to appoint a new National Lotteries Commission chairperson soon, following the resignation of Barney Pityana. The 80-year-old stepped down with two years left in his five-year term, after being appointed in 2022 to replace scandal-hit Alfred Nevhutanda. Tau who recently returned from the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development Summit in Japan, will seek a leader to drive anti-corruption reforms as the Special Investigating Unit continues probing irregular projects worth over two-billion-rand.

# Eskom says its operational progress stems from the generation recovery plan implemented in March 2023, driven by the unwavering dedication of teams working to stabilise and strengthen the national grid. On Sunday, the power utility marked 100 consecutive days without load shedding. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says in the current financial year 2025/2026, they have recorded 26 hours of load shedding and delivered 144 days of reliable electricity to date:

# The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has signed an above-inflation three-year wage agreement in the motor sector, covering 300 thousand workers who fall under the Motor Industries Bargaining Council. In year one, workers will receive a six-percent wage increase, with a five-percent increase in both year two and year three. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says they have also secured primary healthcare benefits for the first time for garage workers in the sector:

# Former President Jacob Zuma has urged the introduction of a single African currency to strengthen continental trade. Speaking at the University of Professional Studies in Accra, Ghana, Zuma argued that reliance on the US dollar hinders intra-African commerce. He said a unified currency could lower transaction costs, simplify trade, and promote economic unity. While the idea aligns with the African Union and African Continental Free Trade Area goals, experts warn that economic disparities, differing monetary policies, and political resistance make its implementation a long-term challenge.

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says his country will never again in history be forced into the shame that the Russians call a compromise, emphasising that what they need is just peace. He marked the country’s 34th Independence Day on Sunday with a speech in Kyiv’s central square. On the eve of Independence Day, Russia launched 72 drones and a ballistic missile toward Ukraine, the majority of which were shot down. Zelensky says his country will continue to fight for its freedom while its calls for peace are not heard.

# Rugby: Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has tested positive for a banned substance and has subsequently been ruled out of the upcoming New Zealand tour. The 26-year-old provided an adverse analytical finding during testing by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport. Ntlabakanye disputes that he has committed an anti-doping violation. SA Rugby says Ntlabakanye relied on the relevant professional medical advice, and at no time did he seek to obtain an unfair advantage, nor did he take any medical substance without prior medical authorisation.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-45-cents and the euro at 20-rand-42-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-55-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-856-dollar. Gold sells at three-thousand-363-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….