News 11:00

BULLETIN 16 April 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An economist says job creation is not government’s role
# Israel is weighing up its options for a response to the attack by Iran
# And rugby: Jordie Barrett will join Leinster on a short-term deal

# Economist Dawie Roodt says it is not government’s role to create jobs, its role is to create an environment where the private sector can function properly. South Africa’s youth remain vulnerable, with unemployment increasing by 87-thousand to 4.7-million in the fourth quarter of last year. Job creation has been the common theme of election manifestos. Roodt says real job creation can only happen when the private sector is in a position to actively employ more people as the economy grows:

# Government says as the country approaches the general elections, citizens are urged to be respectful towards one another and avoid name-calling and personal attacks. The elections will be held on the 29th of next month. Government warns that people who use social media and digital platforms to send threatening messages, incite violence, or cause harm, may be criminally charged under the Cybercrimes Act. It adds that the Electoral Commission is ready to hold free and fair elections.

# The EFF in Gauteng has welcomed Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s new mayoral executive committee. The committee consists of five EFF members, four ANC members, and one from the African Independent Congress. The EFF says the retention of its members is crucial for maintaining stable local governance, which directly influences the quality and efficiency of service delivery. It adds the committee members are poised to leverage their deep-rooted understanding of community needs to significantly improve the lives of residents.

# The Israeli Defence Force says the country’s war cabinet has reviewed military plans for a response to Iran’s attacks. Iran launched an unprecedented strike on Israel at the weekend, in retaliation for the attack on its consulate in Syria which killed seven Iranian officers. IDF’s chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, says they have several asymmetric options that could allow it to respond with force without increasing tension:

# Rugby: Irish outfit Leinster has signed New Zealand utility back Jordie Barrett on a short-term deal from December until the end of the 2024/25 season. The 27-year-old signed a new deal with New Zealand Rugby until 2028, allowing a season sabbatical next year. Barrett, who has won 57 caps for the All Blacks, says this move is going to be challenging but a great opportunity as well:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-7-cents and the euro at 20-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-192-dollars-2-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-372-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….