News 15:00

BULLETIN 28 June 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The government of national unity is urged to move with speed to remove the blockages to unlocking the economy
# City Power tariffs in Johannesburg surge by 12.72-percent
# And Rugby: The Boks gear up for ‘Ireland mode’ as Test week approaches

# Cosatu is urging the government of national unity to move with speed to remove blockages to unlocking the economy as soon as Cabinet is appointed. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela says it is critical that the national Treasury honour its commitment to see where fuel taxes can be reduced as well as continue efforts to ensure Eskom is able to provide reliable and affordable electricity, and becomes less dependent on unaffordable double digit tariff hikes:

# Nersa has approved City Power’s 12.72-percent electricity tariff hike for Johannesburg residents from 1 July. Extended Social Package customers facing a 6.21-percent increase. City Power will introduce a monthly 70-rand service fee and a 130-rand network capacity charge for residential prepaid customers, aiming to balance sustainable service delivery amid rising living costs. City Power and the City of Johannesburg are also under pressure to settle a one-billion-rand Eskom debt, following a recent court order amid strained financial conditions for both entities.

# The General Industries Workers Union is demanding reinstatement for the Green Army Programme workers in Gauteng on a permanent basis and decent wages, and massive expansion of the programme. Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei says the way this matter has been managed demonstrates poor planning, and a poor understanding of sustainability. Sebei says maintaining and climate-proofing human settlements and infrastructure is a sensible and safer use of public money, and this programme should be expanded:

# The World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa has launched a youth campaign, celebrating future environmental leaders. Some of the recognised leaders include Dean Carlisle, who founded Lessons In Conservation, educating eight-thousand-500 children across 11 African countries. Esethu Cenga co-founded Rewoven Africa, focusing on textile recycling for sustainable fashion. WWF Circular Economy Analyst, Didi Mathibe, was also recognised for her fight against plastic pollution through innovative waste reduction strategies. The campaign aims to empower South African youth to champion sustainability and protect the planet’s future.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and his team wrapped up their training camp today gearing up for ‘Ireland mode’ in preparation for the opening Test against their arch-rivals next Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. Erasmus was pleased with the structures put in place as the squad prepared to move into full Test match mode next week. They will return home for the weekend to spend time with their families and reassemble in Pretoria on Sunday. Erasmus will name his matchday team to face Ireland on Tuesday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-536-dollars-42-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-335-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-84-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….