News 14:00

BULLETIN 24 June 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity must put the people’s interests first
# Workers in the glass sector will get a six-percent wage increase effective from 1 July
# And rugby: Scott Barrett is named as the new All Blacks captain

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says every effort must be made to ensure the government of national unity remains true to its founding spirit of collaboration in good faith, to drive a programme that improves the lives of all South Africa’s people. Ramaphosa says as parties finalise the modalities of the government of national unity guided by the Statement of Intent, the days and weeks that lie ahead will be crucial. He says political parties should not waste their energies on those who stand in the way of the country’s progress or lose momentum over differences that can be resolved. 

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa faces a pivotal decision in ensuring the sustainability of the government of national unity with his cabinet choices. Speaking to the SABC, University of Johannesburg politics professor Siphamandla Zondi warned against underestimating small parties, emphasising their crucial role. Zondi says while the ANC and DA can potentially run the country alone, the coalition includes ten political parties to manage trust and dynamics between the two bigger parties.

# The General Industries Workers Union says South Africa’s workers in the glass sector will receive a 6-percent salary increase effective from 1 July this year. Giwusa’s spokesperson, Koketso Phasha says this increase will be on the basis of the average Consumer Price Index plus 0.5-percent with a floor of 6-percent and a ceiling of 7-percent. Phasha says workers are the only real producers of wealth in society and deserve their fair share of it:

# Rugby: Scott Barrett was named captain of the All Blacks by head coach Scott Robertson, as he unveiled his first squad for a two-Test series against England next month. Barrett takes over from Sam Cane, who stepped down having skippered New Zealand since 2020. Robertson made loose forward and 2023 world player of the year Ardie Savea his vice-captain along with Barrett’s brother, the centre Jordie. There are three Barrett siblings in the squad, with elder brother Beauden, the 2016 and 2017 world player of the year, the other.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-503-dollars-55-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-325-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

# And finally: One of the two green hydrogen plants in South Africa has been set up in Coega, Eastern Cape. As society explores ways to create a climate-resilient environment, Nelson Mandela University academics and stakeholders are holding webinars to discuss the benefits and constraints of green hydrogen in the South African context. Researcher Gary Koekemoer has highlighted the project’s potential role in creating employment opportunities:

Stay tuned for more news………….