News 13:00

BULLETIN 9 June 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An FNB economist says building sector confidence lost ground in the second quarter
# Gauteng Health accelerates MRI machine upgrades for better patient care
# And roadrunning: A Comrades Marathon runner who went missing is found alive

# FNB senior economist, Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, says sentiment in the building sector has dropped to 36 in the second quarter of this year, from 41 in first quarter. He says the lower composite sentiment reading was largely due to a 24-index-point fall in the confidence of hardware retailers. Mkhwanazi says however, the business mood of main building and sub-contractors was also markedly lower:

# The Gauteng Department of Health says it is actively modernising and strengthening diagnostic imaging services across the province. This follows a rising demand for Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans and pressure on centralised services, because of historic equipment constraints and staff shortages. The department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says the upgrades are done with a particular focus on MRI capacity in public health facilities:

# The Free State Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs says the provincial disaster management teams have set up contingency plans in anticipation of snowfall today. The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for moderate snow in the western and southern parts of the province. The department’s spokesperson, Zimasa Mbewu, says the snowfall is also likely to hover over high-lying areas and mountain peaks, which may cause icy road conditions, leading to traffic disruptions:

# Roadrunning: A 54-year-old woman who went missing after finishing the Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday afternoon, has been found alive. Moira Harding of Cape Town finished the ultra-marathon at 4.52 pm, but then disappeared. The Comrades Marathon Association says she was found near the National Sea Rescue base in The Point, Durban, in the early hours of this morning. Harding was found disorientated and was immediately rushed to hospital. A record 22-thousand-200 runners participated in the 89.9-kilometre down race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-73-cents and the euro at 20-rand-27-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-929-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-319-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Twelve young South Africans have earned a spot on the 2025 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list. They are being celebrated for their innovation, resilience, and leadership across several sectors, including healthcare, education, sport and music. Notables include Quantumed CEO Avian Bell, Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and menstrual health advocate Candice Chirwa. Their stories and accomplishments are praised for reflecting a generation committed to impact and purpose.

Stay tuned for more news………….