News 14:00

BULLETIN 11 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa’s unemployment rate climbs to 33.6-percent
# Fourteen illegal miners die and several are injured in Marikana
# And cricket: The 2027 World Cup’s co-hosts play a T20 tri-series in Windhoek

# South Africa’s official unemployment rate has risen to 33.6-percent in the second quarter, highlighting the country’s ongoing jobs crisis. Statistics South Africa says employment declined slightly, while the number of unemployed people increased. The labour force grew by 121-thousand as more people entered the job market seeking work. Stats SA says although fewer people became discouraged from looking for employment, labour market conditions remain weak, with many South Africans still struggling to find jobs amid a growing working-age population.

# Fourteen illegal miners have been found dead at an abandoned shaft near the Nkaneng informal settlement in Marikana, North West. Their bodies were discovered this morning, while several other miners were injured. Police spokesperson Athlene Mathe says the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear. Provincial police commissioner Patrick Asaneng says investigations continue and emergency teams are assessing the situation and assisting the injured.

# National Coloured Congress Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams has blamed persistent problems with his laptop for the late submission of his statement to the Madlanga commission. He told commissioners the device frequently freezes, forcing him to seek information from colleagues or make calls. Adams also struggled to provide a specific date for when he became aware of a Rule 3 notice, prompting scepticism from chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga:

# All mountain passes in the Eastern Cape that were closed yesterday due to heavy snowfall have reopened this morning. Spokesperson Unathi Binqose says roads remain wet and slippery, and he urged motorists to exercise caution. The Penhoek Pass on the N6 between Komani and James Calata is experiencing thick fog and drizzle, reducing visibility. Binqose says low-lying areas towards the coast continue to experience cold weather, rainfall and mist:

# Cricket: The co-hosts of next year’s one-day World Cup in Southern Africa will face off in a T20 tri-series later this month. South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe will play each other twice in the Namibian capital of Windhoek from the 28th, and the top-two teams will contest the final on 6 September. Cricket Namibia’s CEO, Johan Muller, says they are immensely grateful for the neighbours’ commitment to the series, aimed at growing the sport on the continent. The World Cup kicks off on 4 October next year.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-22-cents and the euro at 18-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-210-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-380-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….