News 11:00

BULLETIN 5 March 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ten people have been killed in a crash between a bus and a truck in the Free State
# The Free Market Foundation says the marginal GDP growth is not enough to tackle unemployment
# And motorsport: South Africa’s Brian Baragwanath and Leonard Cremer are disqualified from the Dakar Rally

# Ten people have been killed in a collision between a bus and a truck on the N6 between Reddersburg and Smithfield in the Free State this morning. The bus was contracted by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. The Free State Department of Road and Transport’s spokesperson, Hillary Mophethe, says over 20 people have been injured:

# The Free Market Foundation says the government of national unity must urgently implement sweeping structural reforms to unlock South Africa’s economic potential. The country’s gross domestic product increased by 0.6-percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, following a decrease of 0.1-percent in the third quarter. The foundation says marginal GDP growth is simply not enough to tackle the urgent challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality. It adds that government must enact far-reaching changes that prioritise economic freedom over bureaucratic control.

# The DA says the political stunt by the MK Party in laying charges of treason against AfriForum is something South Africa can ill-afford, amid the turbulent and rapidly-changing global political environment. MK accuses AfriForum of lobbying foreign powers to act against the country. On Monday, the Hawks revealed that they are investigating four dockets of high treason, presumably against AfriForum and Solidarity. The DA’s Willie Aucamp says now is a time for unity:

Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump says his government has accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four or eight years, and they are just getting started. He gave his first address to Congress since returning to power. Trump says some of his tangible accomplishments include the executive orders he signed, a freeze on foreign aid, lower levels of illegal border crossing, and the withdrawal from international organisations. He adds that America’s momentum is back:

# Motorsport: South African crew Brian Baragwanath and co-driver Leonard Cremer, have had their final result from the Dakar Rally held in Saudi Arabia in January disqualified. This is after the fuel sample taken from the car at the end of stage one was found to be not compliant with the regulations. Representatives from Century Racing Factory told a hearing on Monday that the intention to use high-octane fuel was not to gain performance but to protect the engine. Baragwanath and Cremer finished the overall race in tenth place.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-584-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-917-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….