News Bulletin of 8 September 2025, 6am

Headline 1
Final stages of appointment of the preferred bidder for Gautrain expansion reached
Story 1
Gauteng has reached the final stages of appointment of the preferred bidder for the R45billion Gautrain expansion.
The expansion is expected to bring the rapid rail network to Soweto, Mamelodi, and the Fourways, Roodepoort corridor, significantly extending its reach into areas that were previously underserved by the system.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi made the announcement during a media feedback session last week:
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Headline 2
Funding opportunity for MSMEs
Story 2
The Small Business Development Department is inviting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to apply for funding of up to R23-million through the Business Infrastructure Support Programme.
The initiative provides support for equipment, tools, technology, energy solutions, and new or refurbished infrastructure.
Priority is given to sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, medical, construction, and creative industries.
Applications must be submitted by 19 September 2025 via the DSBD portal.
Story 2 category
Headline 3
Increasing food production is changing economic outlook in EC
Story 3
Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe, says increasing food production in remote areas is changing the economic outlook of the province.
Kontsiwe was addressing the Smallholder Farmers Agricultural show in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
The event provided a platform for smallholder farmers to network with industry players and gain critical insights into market trends, financial products and modern agricultural technologies:
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Story 3 category
Financial Indicators headline
Financial Indicators
Financial indicators
Your financial indicators for this hour:

The Rand is trading at 17.60 to the US Dollar, 23.76 to the British Pound, and 20.62 to the Euro.

Gold is trading at 3,586.73 dollars a fine ounce, Brent Crude Oil is at 66.30 per barrel, and a Bitcoin will set you back 110,998.00.
Teaser / Tailpiece headline
MTN SA looks to improve mobile network coverage across the Western Cape
Teaser / Tailpiece story
MTN South Africa has announced a R200 million investment, to strengthen mobile network coverage and reliability across the Western Cape, as part of its ongoing national infrastructure implementation.
The operator says the investment will go towards building new base stations and upgrading more than 600 existing sites in the province.
The company reports that its LTE network currently covers over 98% of the Western Cape’s population, while its 5G network is expanding to additional communities.
Split analysis
Local: 64 words (33%), National: 128 words (67%), International: 0 words (0%)