News 18:00

BULLETIN 25 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Tax relief is announced as the government withdraws planned tax increases
# Minister Nomakhosazana Meth calls for stronger Southern African Development Community cooperation to protect workers
# And, Minister Buti Manamela says student debt remains a structural challenge

# Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has announced that the government will withdraw previously planned tax increases, providing relief for households and businesses. This decision follows stronger-than-expected revenue collection, which allows the government to maintain fiscal sustainability without burdening taxpayers. In his budget speech, Godongwana said personal income tax and rebates will rise with inflation, and small businesses only need to register for VAT if turnover exceeds 2.3-million-rand:

# Employment and Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth has called for stronger regional cooperation to protect workers across Southern Africa. Speaking at the Southern African Development Community meeting in Johannesburg, Meth warned that global instability, unemployment, and rising living costs are putting pressure on workers, especially young people and women. Ministry spokesperson Teboho Thejane says solidarity and joint action are essential to build a resilient labour market that leaves no worker behind:

# Higher Education and Training minister, Buti Manamela, says student debt remains a structural challenge affecting institutional sustainability and student progression. He briefed Parliament on the state of readiness of the post-school education and training system for the 2026 academic year. While acknowledging that many graduates currently struggle to find employment, Manamela addressed the necessity of loan repayments:

# Four Belarusians and two Poles were detained and charged with attempting to smuggle to Russia devices used to automate the production of integrated circuits. Polish prosecutors says the circuits are used to produce drones. The prosecutors say violation of its Sanctions Act is classified as a crime, punishable by imprisonment for a period of no less than three years. Warsaw has been warning of Russian and Belarusian attempts to destabilise countries backing Ukraine, after Russia invaded the country in February 2022.

# Motorsport: Defending champion Marc Marquez targets a record-equalling eighth MotoGP world title when the season opens in Thailand on Friday. The Spaniard capped a remarkable comeback from injury last year, winning his first championship since 2019, after a gruelling struggle that almost forced him to hang up his helmet. The 33-year-old Ducati rider was in top form all season, winning 25 races, including sprints, and clinching the title with five events to spare. South Africa’s Brad Binder and Ruche Moodley are also competing in the opening race.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-87-cents and the euro at 18-rand-70-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-44-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-350-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-170-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….