News 16:00

BULLETIN 27 May 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Business Leadership SA urges the next administration to continue the momentum in economic reforms 
# NSFAS is to implement a new student allowance payment mechanism by September 
# And tennis: A straight-sets victory for Jannik Sinner in the first round of the French Open 

# Business Leadership South Africa urges all candidates to ensure the elections are conducted fairly and with respect for the Constitution. Reflecting on the progress made by the current administration, the business organisation says the sixth administration has made significant progress in stabilising institutions and implementing economic reforms. The organisation urges the next administration to continue this momentum and strengthen partnerships with the private sector to drive further economic growth and job creation. BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso says this is a crucial moment to reflect on constitutional democracy.

Meanwhile, deputy national police commissioner Tebello Mosikili is urging the transport industry to hold peaceful talks and to find ways of amicably resolving their disputes. She says the blocking of roads this elections week as a way of venting is a criminal offence and law enforcement agencies will act decisively against anyone found to be in contravention of the law. Mosikili says normal day to day policing operations continue in the form of tracing operations, roadblocks, stop and searches and patrols:

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has announced the implementation of a new student allowance payment mechanism to be fully operational by September. The updated system aims to streamline payments, reduce delays, and ensure seamless allowance distribution. This follows the termination of contracts with previous direct payment service providers due to identified procurement deficiencies. The scheme’s administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, says outstanding accommodation payments are being addressed, with a dedicated email for landlords to resolve issues:

# French president Emmanuel Macron voiced outrage over Israeli strikes on a tented camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, and demands an immediate ceasefire. Gaza officials say at least 45 people were killed in the attack. Macron posted on social media these operations must stop as there are no safe areas for Palestinian civilians. The Health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says the overnight strikes sparked fires that burned displaced people alive in their tents, many of them women and children.

# Tennis: One of the favourites, Italian Jannik Sinner, is safely through to the second round of the French Open. The world number two defeated American Christopher Eubanks in straight sets when the roof of the Suzanne Lenglen court was closed for the very first time due to rain. Other matches had to be postponed. In the women’s draw, eighth-seeded Ons Jabeur of Tunisia also won her first match at Roland Garros, beating Sachia Vickery of the US 6-3, 6-2.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-430-dollars-57-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-348-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….