News 15:00

BULLETIN 2 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa seeks to attract UK investors for infrastructure projects
# Sugarcane farmer associations urge government to scrap the sugar tax
# And rugby: New Zealand is furious over France’s decision to send a weakened team for next year’s tour

# The South African infrastructure sector is restructuring projects to attract UK investors. Led by deputy president Paul Mashatile in London, South Africa is pitching investment in energy, water, and freight-rail sectors. The government amended regulations to ease public-private partnerships, aiming to draw 3.2-trillion-rand in private sector investment. More reforms are expected in Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s mid-term budget.

# SA Canegrowers and the South African Farmers Development Association urge government to relieve the sugar tax, warning it could devastate the sugarcane industry. They argue if the current tax moratorium is not extended or eliminated, up to 25-thousand farmers could lose their livelihoods, plunging many families into poverty. The association’s spokesperson, Nondumiso Mlondo, says aligning policies with the sugarcane value chain master plan is essential for the industry’s recovery and stability. 

# The South Africa Wind Energy Association reports that millions of households are currently receiving wind energy through Eskom. At the 13th annual Windaba in Cape Town, industry leaders highlighted that approximately 3.6-million households benefit from affordable wind energy, with tariffs reduced by over 100-percent in the last decade. However, the association’s Morongoa Ramaboa noted that despite progress, several infrastructure challenges persist:

# The DA has criticised the Gauteng Health Department for buying food from companies in the Free State. The decision was made amid a lack of local contracts after the transversal contract lapsed. The DA says companies like Carved Business Solutions and MP Ngophe Caterers supply food items at inflated prices such as 20-rand-68-cents for a loaf of bread. Spokesperson Jack Bloom suspects corruption and incompetence. He calls for an investigation into these contracts and advocates for fair, transparent agreements:

# Rugby: New Zealand officials are reportedly furious over France’s decision to send a weakened team to tour the country next year. The French Rugby Federation and the country’s National Rugby League decided that members of the teams that reach the Top 14 final won’t make the tour. New Zealand feels this would devalue the three-match Test series and the ability to market the competition between two of the world’s top four teams. France says the decision is part of a preparation cycle for the 2027 World Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-210-dollars-1-cent. Gold sells at two-thousand-650-dollars-5-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….