News 15:00

BULLETIN 22 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The BRICS summit kicks off as Ramaphosa meets with Putin
# Samoa hosts the Commonwealth heads of government meeting
# And rugby: Four World Cup winners return as the Boks name their squad for the November tour

# The BRICS summit has officially commenced in Kazan, Russia, with president Cyril Ramaphosa engaging in bilateral discussions with president Vladimir Putin. The summit, running from today until Thursday, focuses on strengthening multilateralism for just global development and security. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Ramaphosa aims to communicate South Africa’s priorities and enhance political and economic relations with fellow BRICS leaders:

Meanwhile, Samoa is hosting the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Apia, welcoming over four-thousand delegates from 56 countries. Leaders will review progress since 2022’s summit in Rwanda and outline future plans. A new Commonwealth secretary-general will be elected to succeed Patricia Scotland, whose term ends next year. King Charles is in attendance for the first time, marking his debut since the passing of Queen Elizabeth. South Africa’s deputy minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, is leading the country’s delegation.

# The Beer Association of South Africa is urging government reforms to the 25-percent excise tax, warning it could harm the industry. BASA CEO Charlene Louw told eNCA that policy certainty is essential, as the beer sector plays a vital role in economic growth. She emphasised that tax reforms could boost job creation, with one excise decision triggering wide-reaching impacts:

# The Automobile Association has criticised the behavior of blue light brigades on Gauteng highways, calling it a shameful blight on South African roads. Spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela warns that these high-speed motorcades pose a serious threat to motorists, citing aggressive behavior from officials. She says the AA urges politicians to demand professional conduct from their escorts, emphasising that VIP convenience does not justify reckless driving:

# Rugby: Four World Cup winners, Damian Willemse, André Esterhuizen, RG Snyman and Franco Mostert, will make a welcome return to the Springbok squad for the November tour. Coach Rassie Erasmus named a 34-man squad to face Scotland in Edinburgh on 10 November, England in London on 16 November and Wales in Cardiff a week later. Captain Siya Kolisi and the squad depart for a training camp in Jersey on Sunday. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Salmaan Moerat, Steven Kitshoff and Lood de Jager were not considered due to injuries.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-56-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cent. One British pound costs 22-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-346-dollars-74-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-734-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….