News 16:00

BULLETIN 19 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A PetroSA director Leon Haywood resigns amidst industry speculation
# TLU SA acknowledges the position taken around the world in support of farmers
# And rugby: Joe Schmidt is named the new Wallabies head coach

# A director of PetroSA, Leon Haywood, has resigned from the state-owned company. Haywood, the sole board member with expertise in the oil and gas sector, cited personal reasons for his departure. This comes amid reports of PetroSA’s potential deal with Russian bank Gazprombank. Last month, PetroSA announced Gazprombank as its chosen partner for the revival of the Mossel Bay gas-to-liquid refinery. News24 reports the resignation of Haywood adds intrigue to the company’s future leadership, while the Gazprombank deal raises questions about PetroSA’s strategic direction.

# TLU SA says it is acknowledging the position taken around the world in support of food-producing farmers. In the past week, columns of tractors have blocked roads in Germany, causing chaos in cities and headaches for commuters. The agricultural body says each country faces its own challenges that hinder many farmers from continuing to farm sustainably. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says in South Africa, farmers are experiencing a shortage of electricity, under-utilised ports, and neglected roads that prevent them from delivering products to consumers:

# The Transformation Alliance is calling on parents and South Africans to give all the necessary support to learners who did not pass their 2023 matric examinations. The class of 2023 achieved a pass rate of 82,9 percent, going up from 80,1 percent in 2022, with the Free State retaining its national top position, with a pass rate of 89,03 percent. The alliance’s spokesperson, Tsakane Manganyi, has congratulated the learners:

# UK retail sales last month suffered the largest drop since January 2021 when Britain was in Covid lockdown, as Christmas shoppers tightened belts in a cost-of-living crisis. Sales by volume reportedly dived 3.2-percent in December, after gaining 1.4-percent in November on Black Friday discounting. The Office for National Statistics says this was far worse than expectations of a 0.5-percent decline for last month. Data darkens the economic outlook following news of a surprise December acceleration in inflation, as drawn-out strike action threatens to tip Britain into recession.

# Rugby: Former All Blacks attack coach Joe Schmidt has been named new head coach of the Wallabies. The New Zealander’s contract will expire after next year’s tour of the British and Irish Lions. Schmidt succeeds Eddie Jones, who departed shortly after Australia was ousted in the group phase of the World Cup for the first time. He was named head coach of Japan later. Schmidt coached Ireland from 2013 to 2019. He says he’s keen to help the Wallabies build a way forward after a difficult period.

Stay tuned for more news………….