News 14:00

BULLETIN 23 April 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Inflation drops to 2.7-percent in March, the first decline in five months
# A working group is established to revitalise South Africa’s ferrochrome industry
# And rugby: English scrumhalf Ben Youngs calls it a day

# South Africa’s consumer inflation eased to 2.7-percent in March, marking the first decline in five months. Statistics South Africa says the annual change in the consumer price index fell from three-percent in February, reaching its lowest level since June 2020. Stats SA’s Patrick Kelly says the main contributors to the slowdown were lower food prices and a moderation in fuel costs:

# Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau has announced a working group with industry stakeholders to strengthen South Africa’s ferrochrome sector. The metal, essential for producing eco-friendly stainless steel, is key to the green economy. Tau emphasises the need for South Africa to adapt to global shifts, highlighting green hydrogen and green ammonia as transformative opportunities for economic growth. As the largest producer of titanium-bearing stainless steel outside China and Europe, the minister emphasises that South Africa aims to stay globally competitive.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on civil society to support the South African Democratic Teachers Union’s national protest against austerity in public education today. Makaneta warns that persistent budget cuts threaten education quality, leading to overcrowded classes, poor infrastructure, and staff shortages. He says this crisis affects both learners and teachers, calling on all South Africans to defend education funding for the country’s future:

# Four Gauteng Department of Economic Development employees have been paid 7.1-million-rand while suspended for up to five years. The charges include fraud, bribery, and misuse of petrol cards. According to the DA, only two cases have been finalised, resulting in dismissals, while two others remain unresolved. The party has criticised the delays, calling them a waste of public funds. MEC Lebogang Maile confirmed the suspensions in a written reply, prompting concerns over accountability and efficiency in premier Panyaza Lesufi’s administration.

# Rugby: The current season will be the final one for English scrumhalf Ben Youngs. The 35-year-old played his 332nd senior match on Sunday when he came on from the bench for Leicester during the English Premiership victory over Bristol Bears. The veteran of 127 Tests played in the last four World Cups and also toured Australia with the 2013 British and Irish Lions. Youngs, who is a five-time Premiership winner, says he wants to finish this chapter of his life with some more success.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-55-cents and the euro at 21-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-520-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-328-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….