News 12:00

BULLETIN 17 March 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Morgan Stanley predicts South Africa’s interest rates will be put on hold
# AfriForum and the community oppose the new Kruger Park mining application
# And cricket: The Proteas Women beat New Zealand in the second T20 to level the series

# A Morgan Stanley economist believes surging oil prices triggered by the Middle Eastern conflict will drive South African inflation higher and force policymakers to keep interest rates unchanged for months. Andrea Masia predicts the Reserve Bank will hold the repo rate at 6.75-percent next week following previous hopes for a cut. He sees the bank staying on hold through most of this year, possibly resuming the rate cut cycle in November. Petrol prices are expected to rise by four rand per litre next month, and diesel up to seven-rand.

Meanwhile, North West University Business School economist Raymond Parsons says the escalating conflict is driving global oil prices over 100-dollar per barrel, with the potential to rise even higher. He says South Africa, as an oil-dependent economy, faces higher transport, supply, fuel and fertiliser costs, and pressure on inflation and growth. Parsons believes coordinated government action, clear communication, and targeted measures could protect households and businesses from the impact:

# AfriForum, local residents, and stakeholders have rejected a new application to establish a coal mine near the southern border of the Kruger National Park. The Tenbosch Mining-Manzolwandle Investments underground mine targets an area of 18-thousand-hectare, including processing facilities, stockpiles, and water treatment infrastructure. AfriForum’s Lambert de Klerk warns of irreversible damage to the environment, particularly the Crocodile River, water security, agriculture and tourism in Mpumalanga:

Moving abroad:

# The Namibia Airports Company has launched an investigation into a cybersecurity incident that targeted its network infrastructure and administrative accounts. According to a statement, unauthorised access was gained to specific IT systems, prompting the immediate activation of containment protocols. Spokesperson Dan Kamati says there is no evidence of data exfiltration, though investigations will help determine the full scope of the incident:

# Cricket: The Proteas Women claimed an 18-run victory over New Zealand in Hamilton to level the five-match T20 series. Tazmin Brits scored 53, captain Laura Wolvaardt an unbeaten 41 and Kayla Reyneke a whirlwind 28 off just nine balls, and the visitors posted 177 for five. Ayabonga Khaka then took four wickets and Nonkululeko Mlaba three, as the homeside was bowled out for 159. New Zealand won the opening match by 80 runs. The third T20 will be played in Auckland on Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-72-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-375-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-26-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 101-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….