News 15:00

BULLETIN 31 December 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC closes 2025 with a focus on service delivery and economic renewal
# Paul Mashatile describes Brian Hlongwa as an intellectual force within the ANC
# And, South Africa’s monthly budget deficit in November widens significantly compared to last year

# The ANC marks the end of 2025 and the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, with renewed confidence in South Africa’s democratic state. The party spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu‑Motsiri, highlights progress in energy and water security, economic reconstruction, service delivery, and social support. She says key achievements include over 200 consecutive days of uninterrupted electricity, manufacturing growth, and strengthened municipal capacity. She says the ANC will build on these gains in 2026:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has remembered former Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa as a committed freedom fighter and intellectual force within the ANC. Speaking at his memorial in Randburg, Johannesburg, Mashatile said Hlongwa believed total economic liberation was central to South Africa’s struggle. He described him as a lifelong activist shaped by the 1976 youth uprising, whose dedication to ideas, discipline and transformation strengthened the liberation movement and democratic governance:

# South Africa’s monthly budget deficit in November widened significantly compared to the same period last year. A budget deficit of 14.99-billion-rand was recorded for November this year which is a substantial widening compared to the 4.46-billion-rand deficit in November last year. National Treasury data reveals that while record gold prices boosted corporate tax potential, physical production declines and a significant public-sector wage bill pressured the fiscus. However, the Treasury maintains that its long-term fiscal consolidation remains on track, with debt expected to stabilise at 77.9-percent of GDP by the end of the 2025/26 cycle.

# Soccer: Stellenbosch FC have appointed veteran coach Gavin Hunt following the departure of Steve Barker.  Hunt is the most experienced coach in the South African topflight with over one-thousand matches in charge over nearly three decades. The 61-year-old has coached at a club in the South African league every season since 1998 in a remarkable 28-season run that has included four league championships. Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie said Hunt’s player-centric approach and intimate knowledge of Western Cape and South African soccer make him a natural fit for the team.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-57-cents and the euro at 19-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-30-cents to the dollar and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-836-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-312-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

# And lastly, animal welfare organisations are urging pet owners to protect animals from traumatic fireworks noise as South Africans usher in the New Year. The spokesperson for the Animal Anti-Cruelty League in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, Bronwyn Ablett, says this time of the years sees an increase in burn injuries, distress and animals running away. SPCA spokesperson Samantha Stelli warns animals have sensitive ears which can cause fear. Owners are urged to keep pets indoors, calm and secure during celebrations:

Stay tuned for more news………….