News 11:00

BULLETIN 1 July 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the government of national unity provides for greater stability
# Tennis: The big stars are in action on the first day of Wimbledon
# And South Africans Tyla and Makhadzi win Billboard awards

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity provides a firm basis for greater stability, coherence and a focus on implementation. The president announced a reconfigured cabinet yesterday evening, with the DA securing six ministerial and six deputy ministerial positions. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says the incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality.

Meanwhile the EFF says the new cabinet confirms its longstanding view that the government of national unity was nothing but a smokescreen for the ANC, to secure a predetermined grand coalition with the DA. EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys says by gifting the DA ministerial posts, the ANC has surpassed the compromises it made in 1994:

Build One South Africa also says the new cabinet confirms a national coalition between the ANC and the DA and not a government of national unity. The cabinet has been increased from 30 to 32 ministers, with 43 deputy ministers. BOSA’s Roger Solomons calls for the curtailment of executive perks, including free ministerial houses, blue light brigades, VIP security detail and million-rand luxury cars:

# Tennis: Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz opens play on Centre Court on the first day of Wimbledon today. The Spaniard will take on the world number 262, Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal. Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to win his first Wimbledon title last year and has since added a third Grand Slam title at the French Open. World number one Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauf and Emma Raducanu are among the other stars involved on the first day of The Championship.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-98-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-81-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-282-dollars-8-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-326-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

# And finally, musician Tyla continues to make South Africa proud on the global stage, winning two Billboard awards in Los Angeles. She walked away with the best new artist and best international act. The South African singer is just the third winner for best new artist who was not born in the US. Another South African, Makhadzi, won the viewer’s choice: best new international act. In her acceptance speech, Tyla paid tribute to the African stars who paved the way for her:

Stay tuned for more news………….