News 07:00
NEWSFLASH NEWS AGENCY 15 November 7 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Saftu acknowledges the minor job increase but warns against persistently high unemployment
# The ANC counters allegations of racial quotas in agricultural exports amid a complaint by the DA
# And cricket: South Africa hopes it’s fifth time lucky in tomorrow’s Australia showdown
# Union federation Saftu welcomes the minor increase in employment but expresses concern over persistently high unemployment rates. Despite an eighth consecutive quarterly increase in employment, the federation notes the figures remain disproportionately high at 31.9-percent and youth unemployment remaining at 8.6-million. They attribute the crisis to structural issues in capitalism, criticising the neo-colonial economy. Saftu’s Trevor Shaku calls for a government U-turn, increased expenditure and the abandonment of austerity measures to stimulate economic growth and job creation:
Play sound: ENG ShakuOnUnemployment
# The ANC says it opposes attempts to spread misinformation regarding racial quotas in agricultural exports. The DA has lodged a complaint with the European Union and British trade offices over new regulations that require farms to meet Black Economic Empowerment criteria for export permits. The ANC denies racial quotas, saying policies are based on fairness and inclusivity. The party says the gazetted notices are not new and reflect the previous year’s requirements, with 96.2 percent of SA’s exported agricultural products being duty-free. It deems the DA’s stance as deemed politically motivated.
# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says they need all the firepower and resources to fight crime. The province has contributed 27.9-percent to the country’s overall crime statistics for the first quarter of 2023-2024. Between April to June this year, crime increased by 41.1-percent in Gauteng. Speaking at a Security Symposium in Sebokeng yesterday, Lesufi said they have halted the issuing of liquor licences in an effort to help end the fight against drugs and the sale of illicit goods:
Play sound: ENG LesufiOnLicenses
# The University of Cape Town’s Council has reaffirmed its commitment to rectifying past governance failures and bolstering current structures. The council says it’s ready to implement the recommendations of an independent panel which probed governance matters at the institution between 2018 and last year. The report found former UCT vice-chancellor, Mamokgethi Phakeng, and council chairperson, Babalwa Ngonyama, guilty of serious governance failures. The council says a sub-committee will establish a framework to strengthen the university’s governance.
# The largest-ever financial data leak from Cyprus has revealed oligarchs transferred hundreds of millions in assets while sanctions loomed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is according to an investigation published by The Guardian. Those implicated include one of Russia’s most powerful oligarchs, Alexei Mordashov, and former Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich. One of the allegations is that PwC Cyprus and other advisers helped Mordashov, and tried to transfer money in a public company on the day he was placed under European Union sanctions.
# Cricket: South Africa is in a bid for redemption as they are gearing up to face Australia in a World Cup semifinal clash tomorrow. The Proteas have faced persistent setbacks in their previous four semifinal appearances, falling short in 1992, 1999, 2007, and 2015. Particularly, the defeats in 1999 and 2007 were handed to them by the Australians at Edgbaston and St Lucia respectively. As they brace for the upcoming encounter at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, South Africa aims to rewrite their semifinal narrative and secure a coveted spot in the final.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-23-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 35-thousand-420-dollars-4-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-963-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-56-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….