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The Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade expressed concerns that with the response from the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, or Brics, grouping to US President Donald Trump's threats concerning development of a common Brics currency appearing uncoordinated, this could potentially impact on trade relations, leaving many disadvantaged.

On Monday, South Africa's government said there were no plans to create such a so-called Brics currency, after Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on members of the economic bloc that back the creation of an alternative to the US dollar.

In a statement, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation pointed to the recent misreporting that had led to the incorrect narrative that Brics was planning to create a new currency.

It stated that, instead, discussions within Brics focused on trading among member countries using their own national currencies.

Committee chairperson Sonja Boshoff highlighted that South Africa and the US need each other as trade partners, and "under no circumstances" should either side entertain the idea of severing ties.

Boshoff emphasised that the longstanding relationship between the two countries had been characterised by "cordiality, decency and mutual respect".

"These principles should remain the foundation of our trade relations with the US. Such a foundation will ensure that South Africa-US trade can withstand any diplomatic challenges or tensions that may arise," she said.

Boshoff pointed to the US as a reliable trade partner and South Africa's status as a gateway to African markets.

"South Africa is a major beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and many exchange programmes in education, innovation, and technology. These relations must endure, bringing mutual benefits to the people of both our countries," she said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday expressed confidence in South Africa's ability to present "the most impressive G20", stating that under the country's leadership, the intergovernmental forum will seek to advance sustainable solutions to tackle high structural deficits, liquidity challenges and extend debt relief to developing economies.

Ramaphosa was speaking during the launch of South Africa's G20 Presidency in Cape Town, where he pointed out that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola will lead the country's G20 process.

"…on their shoulders will rest the responsibility of making our G20 successful and I know for sure through the very capable excursion of task of principally the three departments in government, - the Presidency, Department of International Relations and Cooperation and National Treasury - we will be able to present a most impressive G20. As we have gone around the other G20s, we have learnt a great deal and they have gone there with their eyes wide open, to see what they can learn as they know that this is a great moment for South Africa," Ramaphosa said.

South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20 on December 1, making it the first African country to lead the organisation for a rotational, one-year term.

South Africa has adopted the theme 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability' for its G20 Presidency.

Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would use the G20 to bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the forum's agenda.

He said South Africa would build on the work of the most recent G20 Presidencies of Brazil in 2024, India in 2023 and Indonesia in 2022.

Ramaphosa pointed out that a key obstacle to inclusive growth in developing economies, including many in Africa, was an unsustainable level of debt, which he said limited their ability to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education and other development needs.

He added that South Africa would also seek to ensure that sovereign credit ratings were fair and transparent and it aimed to address high-risk premiums for developing economies.

He said South Africa's G20 Presidency took place at a moment in which the world was facing severe challenges, where the outlook for global economic growth remained subdued, and as many economies carried the burden of unsustainable levels of debt.

He also noted worsening weather associated with climate change, and geopolitical instability, conflict and war, which he said were causing further hardship and suffering.

"This is all happening at a time of great technological change, which presents both opportunities and risks. While the challenges we face are common, their causes and consequences are unevenly distributed across and between countries," Ramaphosa explained.

He highlighted that in working together with G20 members, and building partnerships across society, South Africa would seek to harness global will and capabilities to confront these challenges.

"We all seek to achieve more rapid, inclusive and economic growth. We all seek a more just and equal world, and a world in which poverty and hunger are eradicated. We all seek to avert the worst effects of climate change and to preserve our planet for future generations," he stated.

He noted the disparities in wealth and development within and between countries, which he said were "unjust and unsustainable".

"By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations. We aim to break down divisions of economic status, gender, race, geography or any other characteristic," he stated.

SHARED GOALS

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa pointed out that South Africa must take action to strengthen disaster resilience, calling for the global community, including international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector, to scale up post-disaster reconstruction.

He also noted the need to mobilis...

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said on Monday that to galvanise economic cooperation and build upon the already established sectors that South African and Nigerian investors focus on in these markets, the identification of bankable projects, particularly in infrastructure development, is one of the key priorities the countries should jointly pursue.

Lamola was speaking in Cape Town, during the Ministerial Session of the eleventh session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Nigeria, where he pointed out that the large sizes of South Africa's and Nigeria's economies dictated that the countries' economic collaboration should be yielding much bigger results.

He said it was crucial for both countries to expand trade relations and use opportunities provided within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

"Our bilateral trade needs to reflect the enormous potential that is abundant in our countries," he added.

He highlighted that when the tenth session of the BNC was held in 2021, in Nigeria, the deliberations, discussions and priorities identified were focused and constructive.

"This session will therefore continue with the objective of further consolidating relations, to take stock and assess progress already made in implementing the decisions of the previous session and following up on the outcomes of the review meeting held last year," Lamola said.

He highlighted that whilst progress has been made in achieving the objectives, it was also apparent that more work must be done to realise goals, to the mutual benefit of both nations.

One of the overriding imperatives of the countries' bilateral relations is the need to increase investment and trade relations to higher levels.

He explained that enhanced people-to-people relations were critical in promoting understanding, friendship and shared values, but also in promoting tourism, creative industries, sporting events, and educational and scientific collaboration.

"This will also allow our citizens to appreciate the rich tapestry of diverse cultures and heritage that exists in our respective countries," he said.

PEACE AND SECURITY

Meanwhile, Lamola stated South Africa was concerned by the state of security in some parts of the continent and globally.

"The world is becoming fragmented and fragile, challenging the foundations that are important for anchoring a peaceful world. Multilateralism is under threat as the temptation to resort to force is becoming a feature of inter-State relations in certain regions. Our continent is also grappling with a few conflict and war situations in some regions," he said.

He said that as South Africa and Nigeria deepened bilateral collaboration, they could not avoid the historical responsibility to be responsive to the challenges in the regions, the continent and the international sphere.

"As we seek to strengthen our global institutions to be responsive to the needs of all States, reform of some of these institutions has become paramount. It is important that progress is realised in the current engagements aimed at reforming the United Nations Security Council. This organ of the United Nations needs to be more inclusive," said Lamola.

South Africa's government said there are no plans to create a so-called Brics currency, after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on members of the economic bloc that back the creation of an alternative to the US dollar.

"Recent misreporting has led to the incorrect narrative that Brics is planning to create a new currency," South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, known as Dirco, said in a statement. "This is not the case. The discussions within Brics focus on trading among member countries using their own national currencies."

The rand eased in line with its emerging-market peers, which weakened on the back of renewed dollar strength. The South African currency fell 0.4% to 18.1283 by 10:20 am in Johannesburg.

Brics, which groups developing market powers Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, has called for reforms to the international financial system, while stopping short of agreeing on the adoption of a new currency.

The bloc's New Development Bank continues to rely on the dollar for its investments, which have exceeded $30-billion in member states and other developing economies, Dirco said.

"South Africa supports the increased use of national currencies in international trade and financial transactions to mitigate the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, rather than focusing on de-dollarisation," it said. "The strengthening of correspondent banking networks and the development of infrastructure for settlements in national currencies could further this aim."

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EEF) announced that it will be taking legal action to ensure that the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill be implemented in its original form.

The party said this was to protect African children from what it termed "the clutches of white supremacists and their allies".

The EFF accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of undermining equitable access to mother-tongue education, particularly for African languages through "secretive negotiations" with organisations that are dedicated to preserving white privilege.

This after the Solidarity Movement put out a statement claiming that a settlement had been reached with government over the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill dispute.

However, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the Solidarity Movement's statement was based on a process that was not part of the official procedure of the Clearing House Mechanism of the Government of National Unity parties.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa reiterated his commitment to give the parties three months to submit proposals on sections 4 and 5, and said he awaited the outcome of those deliberations.

"It must be noted that the BELA Act was duly passed by Parliament and assented to by the President. It is now law. The Minister of Basic Education is enjoined to work towards its implementation, sections 4 and 5 aside," the Presidency said in its statement.

Last week, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube announced the agreement with Solidarity on the exercise of her powers and responsibilities on the implementation of the BELA Act.

Ramaphosa pointed out that the agreement between the Minister and Solidarity has no bearing - in law or practical effect - on the inclusive multiparty discussions that are underway on sections 4 and 5 of the Act.

He further stated that the agreement bears no influence on the President's powers to ultimately take a decision regarding the commencement of the Act.

The EFF viewed Ramaphosa's response on the settlement between the minister and Solidarity as a weak defence and a transparent attempt, to absolve himself of responsibility for a process he facilitated, whichc the EFF said demonstrated his lack of leadership and accountability.

"Ramaphosa's reiteration that the BELA Act was duly passed and that its implementation is inevitable rings hollow when the critical clauses that address exclusionary practices remain in limbo. The EFF rejects his feigned detachment, as it is clear that his administration has already caved to the demands of white supremacist organisations. His assurances are meaningless without concrete action to enforce the law in its original form, or return the Bill to the National Assembly if it is indeed not satisfactory," the EFF said.

The party highlighted that the recent agreement between the Education Minister and Solidarity, which it said delays the implementation of critical clauses in the BELA Bill, exposes the "sinister reality of who truly governs South Africa-white racist organisations like Solidarity, the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and AfriForum, not the elected representatives of the people."

It noted that it is unconscionable that a Bill, passed in Parliament and aimed at addressing historical injustices, has been "sabotaged behind closed doors" because the DA and "their white supremacist allies refuse to relinquish their stranglehold" on Afrikaans as a weapon of exclusion in schools.

"With his deep seated desire to please white people by bowing to the demands of Solidarity, DA and AfriForum, Ramaphosa has not only undermined the authority of the legislative arm of government but has also signalled to South Africans that white racist interests hold more power than the democratic processes of this country," the EFF said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday as the country honours its Olympic and Paralympic champions, it must recognise the ongoing work that needs to be done to support athletes with disabilities.

He was speaking during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Medallists' ceremony, at the Union Buildings, where he highlighted that the return of South Africa to the Olympic Games after apartheid was an important symbol of the country's quest for freedom and its commitment to non-racialism and democracy.

"In every Olympic Games since, our athletes have shown the world that South Africa is capable of producing world-class talent across a variety of sports. And in every Paralympic Games, our athletes have not only demonstrated their athletic ability but have also challenged perceptions about disability," he said.

He noted that these athletes had proven that physical limitations did not compare to the strength of the human spirit.

"The success of our Paralympic athletes reminds us that greatness knows no boundaries," he added.

Ramaphosa remarked that the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games saw remarkable performances from Team South Africa.

The Olympic team won six medals: one gold, three silver and two bronze, while the Paralympic team won two gold and four bronze medals.

Ramaphosa pointed to the Shield of Jove award, which was presented to Tatjana Smith and Mpumelelo Mhlongo, in recognition of their "exceptional achievements" at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"These remarkable achievements are the product of a collective commitment to building a sustainable sporting culture in South Africa. Our athletes have excelled because of the investments we've made in sports infrastructure, in grassroots development and in training systems," he said.

However, he highlighted that the country needed to do more to ensure that the next generation of South African athletes had greater opportunities to succeed.

Ramaphosa said government must continue to invest in youth development, to ensure that all children - urban and rural - have access to sports programmes.

"This means strengthening our partnerships with local schools, community centres and clubs. We must make sure that our youth are equipped with the skills, coaching and facilities they need to reach their full potential.

"We must never forget that every medal won - every record broken - is a testament to the countless hours of training, sacrifice and dedication that our athletes put into their craft," he explained.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber on Friday extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) until November 28, 2025, to allow time to consult the affected ZEP holders and all other stakeholders on the future of the current dispensation.

The extension was made in terms of Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act and was gazetted.

In 2022, former Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, decided to terminate the ZEP.

In June 2023 the High Court in Pretoria confirmed that the termination of the ZEP was "unlawful", and in December, the validity of ZEPs and Lesotho Exemption Permits was extended from November 29, 2023, to November 29, 2024.

Schreiber pointed out that the reactivation of the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) is currently underway, and its first task will be to "consider, advise and enable" the steps for compliance with the order of the High Court on the future of the ZEP.

"In order to give the IAB time to properly do its work, and a fair process to be followed, I direct that existing ZEPs shall be deemed to remain valid for the next 12 months, and no holder of a ZEP may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for purposes of deportation or deported in terms of Section 34 of the Immigration Act for any reason related to him or her not having any valid exemption certificate," he explained.

He said no ZEP holder should be required to produce a valid exemption certificate, visa or an authorisation letter to remain in the country, as contemplated in Section 32(1) of the Immigration Act when making an application for any category of the visa for temporary sojourn in the country as contemplated in Section 10(2) of the Immigration Act.

After Thursday's statement from the Solidarity Movement, which claimed a settlement had been reached with government over the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill dispute, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has denied this.

He stated that the Solidarity Movement's statement was based on a process that was not part of the official procedure of the Clearing House Mechanism of the Government of National Unity (GNU) parties.

The GNU Clearing House Mechanism was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September for the purposes of resolving policy disagreements within the 10-member GNU. Mashatile oversees the Clearing House Mechanism in his capacity as Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

Within the Clearing House Mechanism, a small team was established to work on some of the concerns raised around the BELA Act, specifically concerns around clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill.

In its joint statement with Solidarity and AfriForum, the Solidarity Movement said that, according to the agreement reached with the Presidency and the Minister of Education, Siviwe Gwarube, the controversial sections in the Bill will no longer be implemented on December 13.

However, Mashatile said his office had heard of the agreement from "informal channels".

"The GNU and its representative parties are still engaged in a process that will be finalised soon. We call on all parties that signed the Statement of Intent to uphold their bonafides and cooperate with the official process. The BELA Act, like other Acts, is a product of Parliament and the President, and no intervention can therefore downplay the centrality of these key role players," Mashatile's office said.

The GNU, when it was originally founded, pledged to cooperate through the signing of a Statement of Intent.

Mashatile has since written to all GNU parties, to remind them that the Solidarity Movement's statement was unsanctioned.

He assured that an amicable solution would be found using the Clearing House Mechanism processes and said all parties would soon be informed of a meeting to discuss recommendations made by the sub-committee.

The Public Servants Association (PSA) says it is dismayed that lack of consequence management, inefficiency of oversight committees and limited powers of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AG) have led to the loss of billions of rands, and as a result it is calling for the urgent amendment of the Public Audit Act to give the AG more power.

Government departments and public entities are responsible for more than R38.8-billion in irregular expenditure the AG has found, with Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke admitting that her office has limited powers, making it difficult to bring forward legal cases or take disciplinary action.

The PSA wants government to address the gap to ensure that "crooks and thieves" face the necessary consequences.

"Delinquent head of departments and accounting officers must be taken to task for their contribution in the massive looting and must be banned from occupying any seat in public organisations or any governments and entities," it said.

Maluleke confirmed that government lost more than R14.3-billion through payment of goods without delivery and ineffective use of resources, attributing this sharp increase in irregular expenditure to "lazy and errant" accounting officers and departmental heads "who abdicate their responsibilities".

"The fact that her office can only get accounting officers to recoup R3.39-billion out of R14.3-billion in losses owing to material irregularity, is highly concerning," said the PSA.

It pointed to the AG's plea for oversight committees to hold officials accountable, as well as to address systematic failures where the office of the AG and parliamentary committees are not able to ensure effective consequence management.

"One such example is the payment of R700-million for training that was never provided. The Compensation Fund received disclaimers in its audit for the past 12 years and in the past year alone irregularities amounted to R11-billion, yet it is business as usual," stated the PSA.

The association noted that procurement and supply chain management processes seem to be the "leaking tap of government".

The Solidarity Movement announced on Thursday that it has reached a settlement with government over the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill dispute, noting that the controversial sections in the bill will no longer be implemented on December 13.

In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the BELA Bill into law, despite a significant degree of public rejection and concern over its constitutionality.

He placed on hold clauses four and five of the Bill for three months to find solutions to the concerns around them.

The parties to the dispute were Solidarity, the Presidency and the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube.

The settlement also confirmed the different roles of the Minster of Basic Education, which is to ensure the proper implementation of the BELA Act, including making recommendations to the President on the commencement arrangements for the Act; and to also ensure that the implementation of the Act is supported by appropriate national regulations, national norms and standards and/or national policies.

The settlement also provided for further developments on mother-tongue education that extend beyond just Afrikaans.

"Norms and standards and national policies and regulations must first be developed which will, among other things, determine that schools which are running at their full capacity may not receive instructions to change their language and admission policy," said Solidarity Movement.

Regarding language and admission policies, the movement said the school's immediate environment or its feeding zone, and not the larger education district, must be considered.

"The execution of the recommendations does not exclude the possibility that there may be a need for future legislative amendments to Section 4/ and or 5 of the BELA Act. This will all form part of a process in which the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, will make comprehensive recommendations to President Cyril Ramaphosa for his due consideration," the movement explained.

It also assured that the settlement does not affect the process of the Government of National Unity (GNU) or any other processes regarding BELA.

"The settlement is the outcome of various processes. This includes talks with President Ramaphosa, negotiations with political parties, including the ANC, the DA and the FF+, the big march from the Voortrekker Monument to Freedom Park, talks with traditional leaders, a process at PanSAT and the Nedlac process," explained chairperson of the Solidarity Movement Flip Buys.

Solidarity Chief Executive Dr Dirk Hermann pointed out that although the settlement is a breakthrough, further hard work remains.