News 18:00

BULLETIN 31 July 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa hails the renewable energy investment and job creation at the Mpumalanga wind farm
# The diesel prices could rise by nearly two-rand a litre next week
# And, soccer: Hugo Broos is proud of his tenure as Bafana Bafana coach

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially opened the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm near Bethal in Mpumalanga, describing it as an important step in South Africa’s energy transition. The wind farm, developed by Seriti Green, has more than 25 turbines and has created over one-thousand jobs, with about half going to people living nearby. In his keynote address, Ramaphosa said the government’s electricity reforms are aimed at ensuring a reliable, affordable and sustainable power supply:

# A sharp increase in diesel prices are likely next week due to higher crude oil prices and the weakening of the rand. The price of wholesale diesel is expected to rise by nearly two-rand a litre. News24 reports the situation with petrol prices is uncertain, with the price of 95-octane expected to remain largely unchanged and 93-octane possibly seeing a slight decrease. The final fuel price adjustments will be announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources before taking effect on Wednesday.

# The DA has filed papers in the High Court in the Western Cape to challenge the appointment and 70-percent salary increase of Parliament’s secretary, Xolile George. The party alleges Parliament was misled when it approved his appointment, as the salary increase from three-million-rand to four-million-rand was unlawful and irregular. The DA’s George Michalakis says George wasn’t even among the 81 applicants considered for the post at the original, lower pay rate:

# Sport, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie says government remains committed to bringing home South Africans who died in exile during the liberation struggle. Speaking in Pretoria, McKenzie says Angola, home to several ANC military camps, is the first focus of the five-year repatriation programme. He says president Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed government to continue the work regardless of cost as 42 liberation heroes have already been repatriated.

# Soccer: Former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he is proud to be the first national team coach in 32 years to complete his full contract which ends today. He says the achievement reflects the success of the team and the strong relationships built. Broos says he is leaving only because being away from his family is difficult. He says the respect and support he received has made his farewell especially emotional:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-59-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-563-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-33-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….