News 08:00

BULLETIN 11 November 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says the withdrawal of the SABC Bill is bold and decisive
# Parliament’s lowest-paid workers will be paid more than teachers and police officials
# And rugby: The Springbok Women’s Seven retained their Africa Championship title

# The DA has described Communications and Digital Technologies minister Solly Malatsi’s withdrawal of the contentious SABC Bill from Parliament as bold and decisive. The minister has argued that the bill does not adequately address the SABC’s urgent funding needs and handed the minister too much power in appointing members of the board. The DA’s, Thsolofelo Bodlani, says in the myriad of challenges the public broadcaster faces, the bill was significantly counterproductive:

# Parliament is set to double the salaries of its lowest-paid workers, including cleaners, cooks, and waitstaff, over the next three years. According to the Sunday Times, the workers will see their annual earnings rise from 170-thousand-rand to 340-thousand-rand, surpassing the typical salaries of entry-level teachers and police officials in the country. Parliament’s spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, says the new salary alignment effectively eliminates the unjust dual system and ensures that all entry-level employees, regardless of job category, fall under a uniform pay structure.

# Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will engage with City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero and executives from City Power today. This is to address the metro’s outstanding municipal debt owed to Eskom and the implications to electricity supply. Last week, the power utility warned residents of its intention to interrupt the power supply to the metro, as it is owed 4.9-billion-rand in historic debt and 1.4-billion-rand in current account debt. The minister’s office says municipal debt creates a significant impact on Eskom’s financial sustainability.

# Ukraine carried out its biggest drone strike on Russia since Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Moscow’s Defence ministry says it intercepted 84 Ukrainian drones over six regions at the weekend, which forced flights to be diverted from three of the capital’s major airports. The Ukraine military says this was in response to Russia launching 145 drones towards every part of the country. The air attacks happened as Russia reportedly massed 50-thousand soldiers to launch a major assault aimed at recapturing Ukrainian-held territory in Kursk.

# Rugby: The Springbok Women’s Seven successfully defended their Africa Women’s Championship title after defeating Kenya 19-10 in the final in Ghana. Retaining their continental crown means South Africa qualifies for the World Rugby Challenger Series next year. Coach Renfred Dazel praised his players for the effort, delivered in tough conditions at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium. He says they have now laid the foundation for the rest of the season:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-62-cents and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-172-dollars-81-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-670-dollars-1-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….