News 12:00

BULLETIN 27 December 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s greylist exit by June is unlikely
# Sasol’s gas supply from Mozambique to South Africa is disrupted
# And tennis: Novak Djokovic eyes more Slam glory

# It is unlikely that South Africa will exit the Financial Action Task Force’s greylist by June next year, but if progress continues October is a more achievable target. Analysts say although the country has made significant strides on several required actions, issues such as identifying beneficial ownership information and prosecuting complex financial crimes remain challenges. News24 reports a quick exit is crucial for attracting investment, especially as foreign direct investment has been affected by concerns about compliance.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta is calling for calm and urging educators to understand the Government Employees Medical Scheme’s decision to implement a 13.4-percent subscription increase for 2025 as a necessary step to safeguard sustainable healthcare provision for its members. Makaneta says the increase also reflects the rising costs of healthcare in South Africa, which are beyond the control of GEMS:

# Sasol has restricted gas exports to South Africa after reducing output in Mozambique to protect its people and assets and informed other gas customers that it’s unable to maintain full supply. South32, which operates the region’s biggest aluminum smelter near the Maputo port, earlier this month reduced electricity to its production facilities to preserve raw materials and maintain operational stability. At least 248 people have died in Mozambique’s escalating post-election turmoil. Meanwhile, more than one-thousand-500 prisoners on Wednesday broke out of a maximum-security jail near Maputo, during which 33 died.

# Tennis: Novak Djokovic is confident he can still win Grand Slam tournaments, starting at the Australian Open. The Serbian is kickstarting his bid for an unprecedented eleventh title and record 25th major crown when he plays in Brisbane this week. It is the first season since 37-year-old Djokovic began playing that none of the other so-called Big Three will be on the other side of the net. He says his body is still serving him well. He needs one more Grand Slam title to surpass Margaret Court’s 24.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-79-cents and the euro at 19-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-52-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-974-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-629-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-79-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Department of Health has announced that more than one-thousand-360 babies have been safely delivered at the health facilities across the country on Christmas day. The department’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale says this translates to about 300 less compared to one-thousand-708 babies delivered in 2023 and about 50 less than in 2022. Mohale says the number of teen mothers has also decreased from 145 in 2023 to just under 90 now:

Stay tuned for more news………….