News 09:00

BULLETIN 23 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC denies approaching the MK Party to join the government of national unity
# Raymond Parsons says the government must focus on accelerating reforms
# And heavy rain and cold weather is expected

# The ANC has rejected claims in a voice note said to be from former president Jacob Zuma, suggesting the party invited the MK Party to join the government of national unity. The recording alleges the ANC approached the MK Party, aiming to sideline the DA. The party says no such talks took place, labelling the claims false and harmful. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says all GNU engagements have been transparent and in line with the Constitution.

# North-West University Business School economist, professor Raymond Parsons, says there needs to be a renewed emphasis on accelerating key structural reforms. The International Monetary Fund has reduced South Africa’s 2025 gross domestic product growth forecast from 1.5-percent to one-percent. The IMF is also projecting the country will reach a growth rate of only 1.8-percent by 2030. Parsons says this is simply not good enough for the country given its socioeconomic challenges:

# US president Donald Trump says the American tariffs on Chinese imports will come down substantially. Trump placed import taxes of 145-percent on China, which has countered with 125-percent tariffs on US goods. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated that the ongoing tariffs showdown against China was unsustainable. Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump said he believes a tariff deal with China could happen pretty quickly, adding he isn’t going to play hardball during negotiations:

# Cricket: KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 57 as the Delhi Capitals defeated the Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets for their sixth victory of the Indian Premier League campaign. Mukesh Kumar took four wickets as Lucknow were restricted to 159 for six in their 20 overs. In reply, Delhi reached the target with 13 balls to spare. The win sees Delhi join leaders Gujarat Titans on 12 points, and are behind them only on net run-rate, while Lucknow is fifth.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-58-cents and the euro at 21-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-97-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-338-dollars-5-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the South African Weather Service has warned of a cut-off low forecast to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, and cold weather across much of South Africa from today to Saturday. Spokesperson Tokelo Chiloane says heavy rainfall is expected in the eastern regions, while the Free State and North West may face flooding and hail. She says snow is expected in the Drakensberg, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal:

Stay tuned for more news………….