News 16:00

BULLETIN 15 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF’s chairperson in Tshwane says the party is still a stable organisation under Julius Malema
# StatsSA reports a strong 4.7-percent year-on-year increase in mining growth
# And rugby: Beauden Barrett starts at flyhalf against France in Paris

# The EFF’s Tshwane chairperson, Obakeng Ramabodu, says the party under the leadership of Julius Malema is still a stable and genuinely united organisation. This follows a leadership exodus ahead of its National People’s Assembly next month. Ramabodu was speaking during the party’s podcast on the latest political developments in the country. In a swipe at the MK Party he says the EFF does not appoint people in leadership positions as they are elected by branches:

# Statistics South Africa reported a 4.7-percent year-on-year increase in mining production for September, driven by strong performances in platinum group metals, iron ore, and manganese. However, coal and gold experienced declines. Mineral sales also grew by 8-percent, with gold and manganese leading the gains, while platinum group metals saw a decrease. StatsSA’s Juan-Pierre Terblanche says overall, the mining sector showed signs of recovery despite some challenges:

# Trade, Industry and Competition deputy minister Andrew Whitfield says supporting the manufacturing sector in South Africa remains a key priority for government, as this will lead to more sustainable growth and job creation. He says supporting the manufacturing sector and developing policies that are competitively driven will contribute immensely and respond to some of the issues that the sector is currently facing. Whitfield says as the world changes, South Africa is well positioned globally to look at innovative ways to develop and grow the sector.

# MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela is optimistic that the 55-billion-rand Canal Plus deal will strengthen competition against Netflix. He says the deal aims to enhance competitiveness, enable better content negotiation and increased revenue potential, across French and English-speaking Africa. Mawela says despite challenges like subscriber losses, the partnership could create a subscriber base of nearly 50-million, bolstering investment in local content and sports. He says that ongoing regulatory discussions are a key focus as the deal progresses.

# Rugby: New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson says it was a difficult choice to start Beauden Barrett over Damian McKenzie at fly-half for tomorrow’s game against France in Paris. Barrett missed last week’s win over Ireland with a head injury he suffered in the victory against England. Winger Sevu Reece, scrumhalf Cam Roigard, flanker Samipeni Finau and hooker Codie Taylor are also new faces as New Zealand hopes for a first win over France since 2018.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-20-cents and the euro at 19-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-495-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-566-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….