News 18:00

BULLETIN 27 November 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South African food inflation declined in October
# South Africa will import genetically modified maize from the US amid a crop shortfall
# And rugby: The Blitzboks aim to impress in the Dubai Sevens opener

# South Africa’s food inflation fell to 3.6-percent year-on-year in October, down from 4.7-percent in September. This marks its eighth consecutive month within the Reserve Bank’s three to six-percent target range. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy noted price deflation for items like pasta, onions, and beef. Despite this, the Thrifty Healthy Food Basket’s cost rose by four-percent year-on-year, with festive season demand potentially influencing future inflation.

Meanwhile, South Africa will import genetically modified white and yellow maize from the US after a drought cut local production by 22-percent. The Department of Agriculture resolved regulatory issues, enabling permits for about 800-thousand tons of maize imports between May this year and April next year. This follows South Africa’s smallest maize harvest in five years. Experts say while planting increases are minimal, expected La Niña rainfall may boost the 2025 crop.

# Matriculants are urged to avoid alcohol abuse and prioritise safety as they celebrate the end of their exams. Addressing the media, Basic Education minister, Siviwe Gwarube, emphasised the need for responsible celebrations, especially during pens down and matric rage events. Gwarube called on grade 12 learners to focus on celebrating their achievements in a safe environment, while also encouraging communities, teachers, and parents to be vigilant during this celebratory period:

# Amnesty International says it has evidence that Angolan police killed at least 17 protesters by using excessive force, including live bullets, against public demonstrations over around 30 months. The rights group says none of the officials or their superiors responsible for the killings had faced justice. It accused police of a brutal crackdown instead of respecting the right to peaceful assembly. Police are notoriously tough in oil-rich Angola, a legacy of the civil war from 1975 to 2002, and almost four decades of repression under former president José Eduardo dos Santos.

# Rugby: Tristan Leyds says he is ready to play for the Blitzboks at the Dubai Sevens this weekend. He steps in for injured Selvyn Davids. The 27-year-old emphasises the team’s focus on executing training strategies and restoring pride in the Blitzbok jersey. With five tournaments and 69 points under his belt, Leyds says he is eager to make his mark in Dubai for the first time:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-13-cents and the euro at 19-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-362-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-651-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….