News 09:00

BULLETIN 8 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF demands full public disclosure of the 15 SETAs implicated by the Auditor-General
# The public servants’ union is calling for stability at Onderstepoort
# And, Americans will face higher prices as Canada’s retaliatory tariffs kick in

# The EFF is demanding full public disclosure of all 15 Sector Education and Training Authorities implicated in the Auditor-General’s findings. The Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke found that the appointment of board members at the SETAs was irregular, as key governance rules were flouted. She found that some of the appointments were made without candidates undergoing the mandatory vetting process. The EFF says it has always maintained that the SETA system has been captured as a site of patronage rather than governed as an instrument of skills development.

# The Public Servants Association is calling for stability and sound governance at Onderstepoort Biological Products, following the suspension of the entity’s acting CEO Jacob Modumoh. This is over allegations of misconduct relating to the pricing of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines by the local vaccine manufacturer. PSA’s Claude Naicker emphasises that public confidence in the OBP and the trust of employees, farmers, and other stakeholders must be upheld through transparent and responsible governance:

# Union federation Cosatu in Gauteng says the progress being made by the provincial government in accelerating the delivery of critical infrastructure projects is encouraging. This follows the completion of seven major infrastructure projects, including three state-of-the-art facilities and schools. Cosatu’s provincial chairperson, Amon Monyela, says residents need to see more infrastructure projects completed efficiently, with quality workmanship and within agreed timeframes. He says infrastructure spending must continue to be used as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation:

# Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on 441.17-billion-rand worth of American goods will come into effect today, intensifying the trade war between the longtime allies. The tariffs, which range from 15 to 50-percent follow US president Donald Trump’s 50-percent tariffs he imposed on Canadian goods last month, after trade talks collapsed. The measures will target US sectors including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment and electronics. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney says any trade agreement must be beneficial for his citizens:

# Tennis: Kazakh second seed Elena Rybakina is one win away from becoming world number one, after reaching the US Open quarterfinals for the first time. She defeated two-time champion Japan’s Naomi Osaka, 6-1, 6-4. Rybakina will face Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen, who knocked out Poland’s Iga Swiatek, 7-5, 6-3. 2023 champion Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Iva Jovic in straight sets. She will next face Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, who beat Austria’s Anastasia Potapova to reach the last eight in New York for the first time in her career.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-99-cents and the euro at 18-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-64-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-759-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-433-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….