News 18:00

BULLETIN 22 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula hails the meeting between South Africa and America as mission accomplished
# Panyaza Lesufi unveils a bold plan to turn 320-billion-rand’s investment pledges into jobs
# And boxing: PacMan returns to the ring at the age of 46

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula lauded the meeting between president Cyril Ramaphosa and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, terming it as mission accomplished. Speaking to SABC News in Cape Town, Mbalula said Ramaphosa presented diplomacy in his engagement with Trump to protect the interest of South Africans:

Meanwhile, the Centre for Risk Analysis says the meeting is a positive diplomatic step but warns it won’t bring real economic gains without urgent reforms. The centre’s Chris Hattingh states the focus must now shift to action on trade deals, investment in mining and infrastructure, and removing red tape. Hattingh added failure to act could see goodwill from the meeting quickly evaporate:

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has unveiled a bold plan to convert 320-billion-rand in investment pledges from the province’s recent investment conference into tangible job opportunities. Speaking at a media briefing, Lesufi said the provincial government will work closely with businesses and investors to fast-track projects that support economic growth, improve living conditions and job creation, particularly for young people:

# Boxing: Legendary fighter Manny Pacquiao is coming out of retirement at 46 to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on 19 July at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The eight-division world champion from the Philippines announced the bout on Instagram, stating his goal to make history. PacMan, who retired in 2021, was recently inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame. The co-main event features a rematch between American Sebastian Fundora and Australian Tim Tszyu in the junior middleweight division.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-98-cents and the euro at 20-rand-29-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-978-dollars-14-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-292-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Cape Town’s James McCallum, famously known as the Man in a Suit, is gearing up to break the world record for the fastest half marathon run in a full business suit at the upcoming 21-kilometre Cape Town Running Festival. McCallum’s daring run supports a nonprofit empowering disabled athletes, Jumping Kids. He hopes to inspire everyday people to make a difference, suit and all, while highlighting the resilience of para-athletes.

Stay tuned for more news………….