News 07:00

BULLETIN 16 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The minister of Finance warns next month’s budget will be a difficult one
# AfriForum calls for the privatisation and scrapping of TV licences at SABC
# And cricket, Durban’s Super Giants beat the Joburg Super Kings to maintain an unbeaten start

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana is warning that next month’s budget will be a difficult one, as South Africa’s ability to service its growing debt remains a challenge. Last year, the minister stressed the need to stabilise public finances and accelerate growth, as the National Treasury warned of a higher debt trajectory over the next two years. Godongwana says ongoing power cuts and a logistics crisis continue to constrain economic growth in the country. He adds that the Treasury is currently operating in a fairly constrained fiscal space.

# AfriForum calls for a major overhaul of the SABC. The civil rights organisation advocates for either privatising the state-owned broadcaster or scrapping TV licences to address persistent issues of funding, corruption, and mismanagement. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl argues that privatisation could improve efficiency and better programme quality. He points to excessively high rates of evasion and non-compliance, as well as the unjustifiable additional financial strain on impoverished households:

# The Gauteng Education Department says it is ready for the new academic year. According to spokesperson Steve Mabona, all learners are placed, and the department is currently dealing with late applications. Mabona says they further anticipate more parents to come forward with outstanding documents as schools reopen this week:

# The ANC in the Western Cape says it is considering legal action against the DA in the province over the controversial Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill. The DA has decided to forge ahead with the bill despite two legal opinions obtained by the provincial legislature raising concerns. ANC legislature leader Cameron Dugmore says that proceeding with this bill and public hearings would be a wasteful expenditure. The EFF’s provincial leader Unathi Ntame has accused the DA of weaponisation and using the bill against the spirit of unity.

# UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has dismissed reports claiming airstrikes against the Iran-backed militant group Houthis were part of the Israel-Gaza war, saying they were in self-defence. Last week, the US and UK militaries launched strikes against multiple Houthi targets in Yemen. This is after the Houthis launched over 25 illegal attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea since November last year. Sunak says in protecting international shipping, the UK was upholding international law:

# Cricket: Durban’s Super Giants maintained their unbeaten start to the second SA20 season with a 37-run victory over the Joburg Super Kings at Kingsmead in Durban. Heinrich Klaasen scored 64 in 41 balls as the home side posted 145 for eight in their 20 overs. In reply, Reece Topley took three wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 108. This win for the Super Giants maintains their place at the top of the table and earned a vital bonus point.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-74-cents and the euro at 20-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-649-dollars-47-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-50-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….