News 18:00

BULLETIN 6 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Minerals Council says South Africa must speed up mining approvals to stay globally competitive
# ActionSA slams government for backroom dealings on the National Health Insurance Act
# And rugby: Australia is looking for a new coach again

# The Minerals Council South Africa urges government to speed up mining approvals to ensure the industry remains competitive in the global mining sector. According to the council, lengthy approval processes are hindering growth and investment. The council’s CEO, Mzila Mthenjane, calls for better collaboration between government, business, and labour to remove barriers and create a more business-friendly environment. The council is working with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to clear the backlog of applications and improve regulations.

# ActionSA has condemned the government of national unity for what it calls backroom dealings regarding the National Health Insurance Act. The party alleges government is pushing the controversial legislation without adequate consultation and transparency. They claim that key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and opposition parties, were sidelined. ActionSA’s Kgosi Letlape argues the current act is flawed and unworkable, with government failing to address issues in public healthcare:

# Amnesty International South Africa’s director, Shenilla Mohamed, has urged South Africa to resist US influence after president Donald Trump’s controversial remarks. She criticised Trump’s actions to remove people from Gaza as human rights violations. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, she also emphasised that diversity and equity define South Africa’s democracy and called for reducing US reliance, despite potential financial fallout:

# Rugby: Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt will step down at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship in October. Australia announced they would immediately begin the search for his successor. The 59-year-old New Zealander’s original contract had been due to expire at the end of the British and Irish Lions’ tour in early August. The Wallabies will be looking for a fifth coach in six years after Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie, Eddie Jones and Schmidt’s departure. This one will take them through to the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will host.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-55-cents and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-99-cents and Bitcoin trades at 98-thousand-295-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-858-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

# And finally: President Cyril Ramaphosa will participate in the annual Presidential Golf Challenge tomorrow at Cape Town’s Atlantic Beach Golf Estate. Hosted after the state of the nation address, the event, organised by the Ministry of Public Service and Administration, raises funds for various charities. The Presidency’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says proceeds, managed by the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, will support education and skills development initiatives nationwide:

Stay tuned for more news………….