News 16:00

BULLETIN 14 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU welcomes the investigation into the Government Pension Administration Agency’s billion-rand lease
# Britain’s economy performed better than expected in the second quarter
# And rugby: Aphelele Fassi gets a new role as the reserve goal-kicker against the Wallabies on Saturday

# Cosatu has welcomed the decision by Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to order an investigation into the Government Pension Administration Agency’s leasing of a building for nearly one-billion-rand. The agency administers funds for the Government Employees Pension Fund for the benefit of 1.7-million workers and pensioners. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, says the entity is reported to have awarded the winning bid for leasing its headquarters to a company that does not own or have access to the building:

# Small Business Development minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has called on cooperatives and entrepreneurs to participate in the National Dialogue’s first phase in Pretoria starting tomorrow. This follows withdrawals by legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki and FW de Klerk Foundations, and groups like AfriForum and Solidarity over funding and transparency concerns. She told the SABC News that small businesses must help shape South Africa’s future through their expertise and vision:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the vision for South Africa’s automotive industry is rooted in shared prosperity. Speaking at the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers Show in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, he stressed that sustainable development must empower all communities. Mashatile highlighted the country’s skilled workforce and history of innovation, urging inclusive business models to drive growth. He called for unity in building a legacy of opportunity:

# Britain’s economy performed better than expected in the second quarter as it weathered the impact of US tariffs and a higher business tax. Gross domestic product grew 0.3-percent in the April to June period, beating analyst forecasts of 0.1-percent growth after reaching 0.7-percent in the first quarter. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves says the figures are positive with a strong start to the year and continued growth in the second quarter, but there is more to do to deliver an economy that works for working people.

# Rugby: Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi relishes the chance of adding goal-kicking to his arsenal in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Johannesburg. He will probably share the kicking duties with flyhalf Manie Libbok as the only other recognised kicker in the squad. Fassi says it’s an aspect of his game he had been working on for some time. He expects a physical encounter, but believes the Boks must just stick to their structures when they start defending their title at Ellis Park.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-56-cents and the euro at 20-rand-53-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-25-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-353-dollars-1-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….