News 11:00

BULLETIN 27 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the South Africa-Malaysia economic relationship holds immense potential
# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has high hopes for the end-of-year Tests
# And the ANC is commemmorating Oliver Tambo’s life and legacy today

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the economic relationship between South Africa and Malaysia holds immense potential. South Africa is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in Africa. Ramaphosa delivered a public lecture on the occasion of his conferment of an honorary doctorate in International Relations by the University of Malaya today. He says on the foundation of the two nations’ firm diplomatic relations, they are building ties of trade, investment and commerce:

Ramaphosa also says conflicts and wars, contestations over trade, the energy transition and the pace of the digital revolution are reshaping the international order. He says the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is welcomed, but the concern is that it is being undermined by continued assaults on Gaza and the West Bank. Ramaphosa says the international community must ensure that the peace deal provides a path towards Palestinian statehood and self-determination:

# The commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, Edward Kieswetter, says the country being removed from the grey list is a milestone on a long-term journey toward building a robust and resilient financial ecosystem. South Africa officially exited the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list after successfully implementing key reforms to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Kieswetter says delisting is a vote of confidence, but it is not an end to vigilance. He adds the fight against financial crime and corruption is a continuous one. 

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he has high hopes for their demanding five-week European tour. South Africa will face Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales on next month’s northern hemisphere tour. The first group of players and management departed over the weekend, with the full squad set to assemble in the UK today, ahead of the tour opener against Japan at Wembley in London on Saturday. Erasmus admits the tour will be challenging given the quality of the opposition they will face.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-20-cents and the euro at 20-rand. One British pound costs 22-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-75-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-74-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the ANC is today commemorating the life and legacy of the late struggle icon and former party president, Oliver Tambo. He served as ANC president in exile for three decades, and played a pivotal role in mobilising international support against apartheid. The commemoration will take place in Ekurhuleni and will include a wreath-laying ceremony. Deputy president Paul Mashatile will deliver the annual OR Tambo memorial lecture under the theme, Reaffirming the Moral Compass of Our Struggle: Unity, Integrity, and Renewal.

Stay tuned for more news………….