News 14:00
BULLETIN 10 February 2 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The Referendum Party says the ANC’s statement on international support is hypocrisy
# Scopa will intensify efforts to address government mismanagement
# And cricket: Matthew Breetzke sets a new ODI record on his debut for the Proteas
# The Referendum Party says the petulant and panicked ANC news statement demanding that South Africans must defend their national sovereignty, reeked of hypocrisy. The party’s leader, Phil Craig, reminded the ANC that when black South Africans were unjustly subjected to race-based laws, international lobbying and support were the primary weapons in the ANC’s arsenal:
US president Donald Trump is expected to announce a 25-percent tariff on steel and aluminium imports today. According to experts, this could significantly impact South Africa’s metal industry. In 2024, South Africa exported over 16.6-billion-rand’s worth of iron, steel, and aluminium to the US. Trump also reaffirmed that he would announce reciprocal tariffs this week on products in cases where another country has levied duties on US goods.
# Parliament’s standing committee on Public Accounts has vowed to intensify efforts to address government mismanagement. Chairperson Songezo Zibi announced plans to hold institutions like the Sector Education and Training Authority accountable. He highlighted a focus on higher education and government spending, working with National Treasury and the Auditor-General. According to News24, Scopa will now implement quarterly reports, oversight visits, and in-depth monitoring of sectors such as security, health, and state-owned enterprises to prevent waste and corruption.
# Cricket: Opener Matthew Breetzke scored 150, the highest by anyone on one-day international debut, as South Africa made 304 for six against New Zealand in the tri-nation series in Pakistan. The 26-year-old’s brilliant 148-ball knock anchored the South African innings after they were sent in to bat in Lahore. Breetzke, who smacked 11 fours and five sixes, trumps the 148 made by Desmond Haynes for West Indies on debut against Australia in Antigua in 1978. Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi and Colin Ingram also scored centuries on debut.
# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-868-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-904-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-18-cents a barrel.
# And finally: A Don Mattera Activation Exhibition is currently being showcased in Sophiatown, Johannesburg. The exhibition explores the life and work of the late poet and author and also seeks to highlight Sophiatown’s legacy of resilience and cultural significance. Don Mattera Foundation chairperson, Jenny Jeftha, told Newsroom Afrika Mattera’s contributions have greatly shaped the perception of Sophiatown, and preserved its enduring heritage:
Stay tuned for more news………….