News 16:00

BULLETIN 14 October 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Prasa recovers 31 rail networks as part of its restoration efforts
# Transnet will install hydrogen terminals at South Africa’s ports
# And cricket: Ben Stokes returns to captain England in the second Test against Pakistan

# Rail agency Prasa has announced the successful recovery of 31 out of its 40 rail networks. This recovery effort has come at a staggering cost, with billions invested to restore services. The network had failed as a result of extensive damage and vandalism. According to Prasa CEO, Hishaam Emeran, as the rail services gradually come back online, there is hope for a more dependable system for commuters across the country.

# Transnet is finalising plans to install hydrogen terminals at major ports in South Africa, aimed at boosting the country’s hydrogen exports within the next decade. Collaborating with UK-based Hive Energy, the freight logistics company seeks to build hydrogen infrastructure at ports including in Durban, Cape Town, and Saldanha. South Africa’s Just Energy Transition implementation plan states that between 2023 and ’27, 319-billion-rand in funding will be needed for the green hydrogen sector’s infrastructure and production capacity.

# Rand Water in Gauteng says it is at full operating capacity and cannot pump additional water into the system. Supply systems including Rand Water reservoirs are critically low, and the situation is anticipated to worsen with the ongoing heat wave. Rand Water’s spokesperson, Makenosi Maroo, says municipalities are being urged to reduce 33-percent of physical water losses, repair leaks identified in their No Drop report, and enforce bylaws:

# Cricket: Ben Stokes returns to captain England in the second Test against Pakistan, starting in Multan tomorrow. He missed the record-breaking first Test through injury. England beat Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs after posting a mammoth 823 for seven in their first innings. Pace bowler Matthew Potts also returns, with him and Stokes replacing Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes. The hosts made several changes, including dropping former captain Babar Azam and pace bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-55-cents and the euro at 19-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-892-dollars-62-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-651-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-53-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago has praised former Finance minister Tito Mboweni for his contribution in policy-making. Mboweni who passed away over the weekend after a short illness, served as the Reserve Bank governor between 1999 and 2009. Kganyago described him as a man of integrity with deep economic insight. He highlighted Mboweni’s role in defending the central bank:

Stay tuned for more news………….