News 15:00

BULLETIN 4 March 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The cabinet finalises the budget input ahead of its tabling on March 12
# AfriForum urges action to keep South Africa in AGOA
# And an Australian dies after saving the lives of 2.4-million babies through blood transfusions

# The cabinet has completed its input for the 2025/26 Budget, which Finance minister Enoch Godongwana will present next week. A special meeting yesterday debated funding options after the budget speech’s historic delay over VAT hike disputes. According to Bloomberg, Godongwana must now balance fiscal constraints, economic growth, and protecting low-income households. Reports suggest possible tax increases, spending cuts, and pension fund adjustments. The final budget will aim to stabilise debt and support critical services.

# AfriForum says South Africa must address alleged human rights abuses against Afrikaners to avoid being removed from America’s African Growth and Opportunity Act. The group is under fire for meeting with US president Donald Trump’s administration, a move president Cyril Ramaphosa condemns as divisive. CEO Kallie Kriel insists AfriForum won’t be blamed if South Africa is expelled, arguing that AGOA sanctions should not target ordinary citizens:

# Private companies have criticised the South African Post Office for its inability to adapt. This comes after the Department of Communications requested Treasury’s support for a task team to find partners for a public-private partnership. Critics believe its future depends on its ability to adapt to the digital world. Independent analyst Khaya Sithole told SABC News the Post Office has failed to reinvent itself:

# Rugby: Defending champion Ireland is hoping its captain, Caelan Doris, will be fit to lead them in Saturday’s Six Nations clash with France in Dublin. Management says he is making positive strides in his recovery from a knee injury. Undefeated Ireland is currently on top of the log, with France in second place after beating Wales and Italy, but losing to England. After this weekend, only one round remains, with an unprecedented third consecutive title on the line for the Irish.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-56-cents and the euro at 19-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-947-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-917-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

# And finally: One of the world’s most prolific blood donors has died. Eighty-eight-year-old James Harrison’s plasma saved the lives of more than two-million babies. He was known as the man with the golden arm. Harrison’s blood contained a rare antibody, Anti-D, which is used to make medication given to pregnant mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service says he started donating his blood plasma at 18 and did so every two weeks until he was 81.

Stay tuned for more news………….