News 18:00

BULLETIN 27 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa calls for a united Africa to tackle global challenges
# Public Interest South Africa welcomes Andrea Johnson’s resignation
# And soccer: South Africans are urged to rally behind Banyana Banyana

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says African countries must stand together to tackle growing global challenges and drive the continent’s development. Speaking at the opening of the seventh Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, Ramaphosa said Africa continues to face the effects of conflict, economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and climate change. He called for stronger cooperation to promote peace, boost trade and create a better future for all Africans:

# Public Interest SA has welcomed the resignation of Investigating Directorate Against Corruption head Andrea Johnson. Founder and chairperson Tebogo Khaas describes it as an important step towards restoring confidence in South Africa’s criminal justice system. President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted Johnson’s resignation with immediate effect. Khaas emphasised that accountability and institutional integrity must remain:

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has launched Infrastructure South Africa’s Project Preparation Bid Window Three, to fast-track major infrastructure projects. The initiative will support public institutions in developing investment-ready projects worth one-billion-rand or more. Macpherson says poor project preparation often delays construction and investment. He says the programme aims to move projects from planning to implementation, creating jobs, improving infrastructure and boosting economic growth through stronger public and private sector investment.

# The Pan-African Parliament is entering a new era of reform aimed at strengthening its role in advancing peace, development and African integration. Addresing delegates at the First Ordinary Session in Midrand, Pan-African Parliament president Fateh Boutbig called for greater accountability, stronger oversight and faster implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The body has pledged to prioritise economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area, while promoting democracy, security, water security, youth empowerment and parliamentary diplomacy across the continent.

# Soccer: Government has called on South Africans to unite behind Banyana Banyana, as they seek to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco. Desiree Ellis’s charges will open their campaign against Tanzania this evening. Government acting spokesperson, William Baloyi, says the players carry the hopes of the nation, and together, the country can inspire them to give their very best:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-74-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-537-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-88-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….