News 17:00

BULLETIN 4 September 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Kubayi urges stronger relations between South Africa and China
# AgriSA urges increased investment to boost agriculture’s potential
# And, golf: South Africa’s Bezuidenhout is picked for Team International for the President’s Cup in Canada

# Human Settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has emphasised the implementation of signed policies between South Africa and China. Speaking at the South Africa-China Business Forum in Beijing, Kubayi highlighted high tariffs from China as a barrier for South African companies. She stresses the importance of channeling China’s manufacturing expertise to South Africa for job creation, and strengthening bilateral trade and investment:

# AgriSA is calling for increased investment to unlock the full potential of the agricultural sector, crucial for economic health and food security. The sector saw a 2.1-percent decline in the second quarter of this year, despite a 0.4-percent rise in the national gross domestic product. AgriSA chief economist Kulani Siweya urges ongoing support from the Department of Agriculture and private sectors to drive sustainable growth and resilience in the industry.

# PRASA has welcomed the 15-year prison sentence handed to former employee Daniel Mthimkulu by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Mthimkulu was convicted of fraud, forgery, and misrepresentation of his qualifications. He was also ordered to repay 5.7-million-rand. PRASA emphasised the conviction sends a strong message against corruption while reinforcing the agency’s commitment to providing safe and affordable rail transport.

# Golf: South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout was announced as one of the members of the International Team for this year’s President’s Cup competition, to be played in Montreal, Canada, later this month. Bezuidenhout made his debut in the competition in 2022. He joins Canadians Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith and Mackenzie Hughes, Si Woo Kim from South Korea and Australian Min Woo Lee as Mike Weir’s captain’s choices. Twelve players from five countries were included in the team to face the American team, captained by Jim Furyk.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-89-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-544-dollars-8-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-488-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-28-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the Nqweba meteorite which exploded over the Eastern Cape on 25 August with the force of 92-tonnes of dynamite, will be part of South Africa’s heritage. Wits University scientists say the explosion scattered fragments near Gqeberha, offering insights into cosmic phenomena. The Eastern Cape Heritage Resource Agency’s Slindokuhle Mavuso highlighted to the SABC the historical value of scientific studies:

Stay tuned for more news………….