News 07:00

BULLETIN 20 March 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mmusi Maimane says South Africans will feel the economic consequences of the Middle East conflict
# Donald Trump says he expected a sharper spike in oil prices
# And rugby: The Sharks coach makes eight changes for the clash against Munster

# Build One South Africa says the conflict in the Middle East will not remain confined to the region, but will travel through energy markets, supply chains, and into the daily lives of South Africans. Parliament held a debate yesterday, as per BOSA’s request, on the escalating Middle East conflict and the implications this has for South Africa. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane says South Africa is a net importer of crude oil, which means its domestic prices are directly exposed to global oil markets:

Meanwhile, president Donald Trump has suggested that the economic impact from the US-Israeli strikes on Iran has so far been more limited than what he anticipated. This is despite global energy markets surging, including Brent crude, while the Strait of Hormuz, which sees about a fifth of the world’s oil pass through, remains nearly impassable. Speaking to the media during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump said he expected a sharper spike in oil prices:

# AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé has warned that many South Africans are willing to work for nothing because they have nothing. Speaking at News24’s On the Record 2026 summit in Cape Town, Kotzé highlighted that agriculture, while only three-percent of gross domestic product, has doubled in output over 30 years and remains essential for growth. He called for growing water resources, balancing farm profitability with sustainability, and creating an economy that provides meaningful opportunities for all.

# Tshwane mayor, Nasiphi Moya, has placed mayoral committee member for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, on special leave. This is pending an investigation into allegations raised before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Evidence shows Morodi shared bid specifications for land lease tenders with Gauteng Organised Crime Unit officer Fannie Nkosi. At the time, Nkosi was attempting to secure a waste management tender for a company linked to his brother. Moya’s spokesperson, Samkelo Mgobozi, says that they regard such matters with the utmost seriousness:

# The High Court in Durban has dismissed an urgent application by businessman Calvin Mathibeli to halt a SAPS firearms inspection at his Durban North company. The court ruled the matter lacked urgency and dismissed it with costs. This allows the SAPS to proceed under Operation Buyisa. Mathibeli alleges ongoing harassment by police and has filed a 15-million-rand civil claim against authorities in KwaZulu-Natal. Mathibeli has also alleged that KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is captured by the businessman’s competitors. 

# Rugby: Sharks coach JP Pietersen has made eight changes to the starting lineup for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Munster in Durban. Siya Kolisi returns to earn his 50th cap for the club. There is a new front row, with Phatu Ganyane, Fez Mbatha, and Hanro Jacobs rotating with Ox Nché, Eduan Swart, and Vincent Koch. In the backline, Grant Williams starts at scrumhalf, while Ethan Hooker returns to partner captain André Esterhuizen in the midfield. Yaw Penxe comes in on the wing, with Blitzboks rookie Luan Giliomee at fullback.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-73-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-46-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-425-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-660-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….