News 15:00

BULLETIN 22 September 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BUSA takes legal action over the flawed employment equity targets
# The GOOD Party says the resignation of Alexander Kannemeyer cannot be the end of accountability
# And Cricket: The Proteas start the defence of the World Test Championship against Pakistan next month

# Business Unity South Africa has approached the courts today to challenge the recently published Employment Equity sector targets. BUSA says while it supports workplace transformation, the targets are flawed both substantively and procedurally. CEO Khulekani Mathe argues there was no meaningful consultation, with unrealistic one-size-fits-all targets and conflicting compliance frameworks. He insists its action aims to protect transformation credibility and push for lawful, transparent, and practical equity policies:

# The GOOD Party says embattled Stellenbosch Municipality human resources manager, Alexander Kannemeyer’s resignation cannot and must not be allowed to spare him accountability. Last week, he resigned from his acting role as corporate services director, which means the council cannot suspend him under the Municipal Structures Act. This comes after a viral video showing him suggesting that life for white employees should be made difficult until they resign. GOOD’s Robin Hendrikse says accountability cannot be optional:

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau has confirmed that Black Economic Empowerment policies were discussed during recent tariff negotiations with US officials. The US has previously criticised South Africa’s BEE framework, which aims to redress apartheid-era inequalities, as a barrier to trade. Tau emphasised the importance of addressing these concerns to facilitate a mutually beneficial trade agreement. The minister confirmed that the ongoing discussions aim to resolve the 30-percent US tariff imposed on South African imports.

# China’s top internet regulator announced a sweeping two-month crackdown on social media, vowing to combat content containing “malicious incitement of conflict” and “negative outlooks on life such as world-weariness”. Beijing requires social media companies to moderate content on their platforms, with posts strictly controlled to avoid anything deemed to be too subversive, vulgar, pornographic or generally harmful. The notice from the Cyberspace Administration of China follows announcements of penalties this month against three popular digital platforms, which it said had neglected content management duties.

# Cricket: South Africa will begin their defence of the World Test Championship title with a two-match Test series against Pakistan from 12 to 24 October in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out with a calf strain and Aiden Markram will captain the side. Spinner Simon Harmer has been recalled for the first time since March 2023. David Miller will captain the T20 squad, while Matthew Breetzke will lead the ODI side. Donovan Ferreira will take charge in the T20 against Namibia on 11 October in Windhoek.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-27-cents and the euro at 20-rand-34-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-930-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-726-dollars-15-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….