News 14:00

BULLETIN 25 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Citrus growers cut their 2026 export forecast
# Transnet plans to dispose of the iconic Carlton Centre and 14 commercial properties
# And rugby: The Lions are not season-ready but are eager to test themselves against the All Blacks

# The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa has lowered its 2026 orange export forecasts, citing severe weather, geopolitical tensions, market disruptions and logistics challenges. Valencia orange estimates have been cut by eight-percent to 58-million cartons, while Navel oranges are down 19-percent to 24.3-million cartons. Total citrus exports are now expected at 197.9-million 15-kilogram cartons. The association says flooding damaged orchards, while Middle East conflict disrupted shipping routes and markets, increasing costs and financial pressure on growers.

# The Public Servants Association welcomes the recently signed framework and memorandum of understanding between South Africa and Zimbabwe, aimed at strengthening cooperation in justice and correctional services. Current prison population figures indicate that South Africa’s correctional facilities house more than 170-thousand inmates, including a significant number of foreign nationals. PSA spokesperson, Claude Naicker says any initiative that assists in reducing overcrowding, alleviating pressure on correctional facilities, and promoting offender rehabilitation, should be considered:

# Airlink will launch a new direct air service between Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape and Mbombela’s Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport on November 16. The airline will operate three flights a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using a 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 aircraft. Airlink says the route will significantly reduce travel time for leisure travellers by avoiding connections through Gauteng. The airline also seeks to strengthen business links between the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga’s economic and industrial hubs.

# State-owned company Transnet has announced its intention to dispose of 15 commercial properties it owns but no longer considers core assets. These include the iconic Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, golf courses, shopping malls and other pieces of land across South Africa. Transnet bought the Carlton Centre from Anglo in 1999 for 33-million-rand. Before the rise of the Leonardo in Sandton, it was the tallest building in South Africa, stretching 223-metres over 50 storeys. Today, the Leonardo holds the title at 234-metres.

# Rugby: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has admitted they are not fully ready for the new United Rugby Championship campaign, but are eager to test themselves against New Zealand in Johannesburg tonight. The All Blacks are unbeaten on their tour of South Africa, having dispatched of the Stormers, the Sharks and the Bulls, and the Springboks in Saturday’s first Test. Van Rooyen says they are still a bit short on conditioning:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-98-cents and the euro at 18-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-400-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-631-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-54-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….