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Business Unity South Africa (Busa) on Wednesday said it is encouraged by government's "openness" to engage on its concerns around the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, following a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Last month, the Presidential Health Compact was signed, to much criticism.

Busa and the South African Health Professionals Collaboration, including the South African Medical Association, on principle refused to sign the Compact, which it said used the "destructive" NHI Act as its basis.

Busa has since called for urgent engagement with government on the NHI, saying this will ensure healthcare reform and universal health coverage without negative impacts.

Tuesday's meeting included Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Deputy Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, as well as senior officials of the department.

Busa said it would prepare a proposal detailing solutions to address its concerns.

"Busa's primary objective is to render the NHI Act workable, affordable, and implementable, while advancing universal health coverage and ensuring an equitable healthcare system for all," it explained.

Busa pointed out that business, healthcare providers and other stakeholders have consistently supported the goal of universal health coverage but expressed concerns about the NHI Act's potential impact on healthcare, taxpayers, the economy, and investor confidence.

Magwenya said business and government expressed a shared commitment to the underlying objectives of the NHI - to achieve universal health coverage for all South Africans and address inequality in the health system.

Busa and government both expressed commitment to engaging with all stakeholders on healthcare reform.

South Africa's inflation rate fell more than expected last month to its lowest since April 2021, data showed on Wednesday, reinforcing expectations that the central bank will cut interest rates this week.

Headline consumer inflation fell to 4.4% year-on-year from 4.6% in July, just below the 4.5% midpoint of the South African Reserve Bank's target range where it likes to see inflation.

The median forecast of analysts polled by Reuters was for a reading of 4.5%.

"The table is laid for the interest rate cutting cycle to commence," said independent economist Elize Kruger.

Easing price pressures from transport, housing, restaurants and hotels contributed to August's lower inflation print, data from Statistics South Africa showed.

However food inflation ticked up to 4.7% in annual terms from 4.5% in July, reversing an eight-month downward trend.

The figures hardened expectations that the central bank will cut interest rates on Thursday for the first time in more than four years.

Even before August's inflation figures were released, economists polled by Reuters were predicting the central bank would cut its main lending rate by 25 basis points.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will on Wednesday hold a National Day of Action across all nine provinces, to oppose Eskom's request for a 36% electricity tariff increase.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will decide whether to approve the request, which would then take effect from April 1, 2025.

DA Electricity and Energy spokesperson Kevin Mileham said the party's mass action is being organised ahead of an urgent Parliamentary debate scheduled for Thursday, where the DA will formally oppose what it calls "Eskom's exorbitant demands".

Mileham said Eskom's increases over the years have placed unbearable financial strain on South African households and businesses.

"The DA is resolute in its opposition to these extortionate increases, which threaten the livelihood of millions of South Africans, forcing them to choose between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table," he said.

The City of Cape Town and Tshwane have also written to Nersa, formally objecting to the proposed tariff increases.

"Together, we can prevent this reckless increase that will further devastate South African families and businesses," Mileham said.

South Africa's consumer confidence recovered further in the third quarter to its best since 2019, helped by improved willingness to spend and hopes of an interest rate cut in September, survey data released on Tuesday showed.

The consumer confidence index (CCI), sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) and compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER), improved to minus 5 points in the quarter from minus 10 in the previous three months.

"A confluence of positive developments has bolstered the confidence levels of South Africa's more affluent consumers over the last six months," FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said.

The central bank is due to announce its rate decision on Thursday, with economists expecting a 25-basis-point cut as inflation slows, according to a Reuters poll.

Besides the deceleration in inflation, the formation of the government of national unity, the absence of loadshedding, a stronger rand exchange rate and substantial fuel price declines have also contributed to improving consumer confidence.

"Moreover, the implementation of the two-pot retirement system on September 1 now allows consumers access to a portion of their retirement savings, which will no doubt hearten households experiencing financial distress," Matikinca-Ngwenya said.

However, while confidence among high-income and middle-income households improved, low-income households showed weakness as the lack of pension funds and debt that is tied to the prime interest rate minimises the impact of the two-pot policy and possible rate cuts.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said securing South Africa's immigration and civics systems through automation and digital transformation will immediately boost confidence in South Africa's ability to re-establish law and order, as he seeks to establish "Home Affairs from home".

Schreiber was speaking at the RMB Morgan Stanley Investor Conference, where he pointed out that outdated, manual, paper-based processes at Home Affairs increased the chances of human discretion and corruption, which he said was a "threat to national security."

But, he noted that this was not the only area where Home Affairs could be an economic enabler.

He pointed to his department as a "crucial flywheel" to generate investment, tourism and economic growth, and said the potential had been overlooked.

"That is why we are currently completely redefining the department's strategic priorities to turn Home Affairs into a digital-first organisation where everything we do is automated and digitised," he said.

Schreiber acknowledged a significant amount of work to restore internal security after what he said had been decades of neglect and, what he termed institutional vandalism, adding that both regulation and administration must be urgently addressed.

However, he pointed to positive developments in the form of new regulations for a new points-based work visa, and the remote working visa.

These regulations, he said, would bring the remote working visa to life after the department was able to iron out the tax implications of this new system.

"Our new remote working visa must be one of the best deals I've ever come across. South Africa carries none of the cost of employing these nomads, yet we reap all the benefits," he explained.

He assured that the points-based work visa would revolutionise the South African economy.

However, he pointed out that Home Affairs still had significant administration work to carry out, to fulfil the department's potential as an economic enabler.

He revealed that Home Affairs was "at least a decade behind the curve" in administration, noting inefficiency and corruption, which he said had maligned the department and could be traced back to manual and paper-based processes.

"The only way to turn Home Affairs into a department that supercharges economic growth, delivers dignified civic services and secures national security, is by urgently embracing automation and digital transformation," he stated.

CIVIC SERVICES

Schreiber also wants to enable "Home Affairs from home", to people to securely log onto a platform using facial recognition or other biometrics on a smartphone or computer, from the comfort of their own home or their local library.

"On that platform, they must be able to apply with the option of having their documents delivered to their doorstep. Instead of you having to go to Home Affairs, we must bring Home Affairs to you," he said.

He noted that this would also free up resources for the department to use its existing physical infrastructure to better serve those who would still need to visit Home Affairs offices, including the 10% of South Africans who do not use smartphones, as well as those in rural or impoverished communities.

Schreiber also wants to digitise the visa adjudication process, so that tourists, skilled workers or investors, can apply online.

"Their application must then be adjudicated by an automated risk engine built on the latest machine learning technology. If an application is legitimate, the outcome must be issued immediately in digital form, including in the digital wallet on your smartphone," he explained.

He said that this must all happen without any space for human intervention or discretion, to eliminate the space for fraudsters, explaining that such a digital system will be able to detect fraudulent documents and cross reference information far more effectively than any human ever could.

"It is through this vision for digital transformation, that we will restore national security, deliver...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has said it will fight to preserve the progress it has made with its coalition partners in the City of Tshwane and stop ActionSA president Herman Mashaba from "delivering the worst possible outcome for the city", after the green party pulled out of the governing coalition over the weekend.

DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp noted that weeks ago Mashaba insinuated that his party would vote with the opposition to remove DA Mayor Cilliers Brink from power.

Aucamp said the decision by ActionSA's senate is a confirmation of what had already been decided.

ActionSA has decided to consider an alternative municipal coalition government for Tshwane.

Aucamp said despite overwhelming opposition to this move, including by members of ActionSA, Mashaba seems "intent on bringing down an effective, well-functioning coalition".

He stated that ActionSA's conduct towards coalition partners, supporters, and the public, has been characterised by lies, deceit and betrayal.

"Now ActionSA, which hold the deputy mayorship and key mayoral committee portfolios in Tshwane, blames its coalition partners for the city's supposed failures. ActionSA's turn on the Tshwane coalition has nothing to do with service delivery, the residents of Tshwane, or the future of the city," Aucamp said.

He further claimed that Mashaba had "counted on a deal" with the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to elect an ActionSA mayor, "the calculation being that the party will benefit from holding this position."

Aucamp explained that the only way ActionSA's "ploy" could work was if its new coalition included the EFF.

"Mashaba has turned ActionSA into the useful idiots of anti-constitutional forces in South African politics, and in the process has jeopardised the future of the capital city," Aucamp said.

Meanwhile, Mashaba acknowledged the confusion caused by ongoing events in Tshwane, noting that many believed that ActionSA planned to "blindly" go into a coalition in support of the ANC, which it had always sworn to never support.

"We will never support, nor allow ActionSA to be used, to shield corruption and other forms of abuses, irrespective of whom we get into a coalition with," he said.

Mashaba said the decision to consider an alternative municipal coalition government for Tshwane had not been taken lightly.

"…but it is a decision we're prepared to defend because we believe that what we propose will be a better alternative to current abuses of trust, details of which we shall expose at the right time," he said.

Mashaba said his party wanted to be allowed a bit more time to consult with various possible coalition partners for the best outcome and said results of the consultations would be made public as soon as they were concluded.

"Everyone should rest assured that should we fail to secure an alternative coalition government we can confidently be part of, ActionSA will happily rejoin the opposition benches in Tshwane," he stated.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday government is seeking to establish a culture of openness and dialogue among members of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

On Friday Ramaphosa signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, despite a significant degree of public rejection, and concern over its constitutionality, as well as threats that the GNU would be destabilised should he sign it.

After consultation, Ramaphosa placed on hold clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill for three months to find solutions to the concerns around them. Should no solutions be found, the Bill would be implemented fully, he said.

"At times, agreement can be reached when matters come to a head at the last minute enabling all parties to focus on finding solutions and discovering that there is more that unites them than what separates them," he said.

He said while government could not guarantee that the parties that had requested timeout to engage on the Bill would reach agreement on every difficult issue, efforts must be made to find common ground.

"Even as the leaders were meeting last week, some parties in the GNU were publicly urging me not to sign the Bill, while others were saying that I should sign the Bill," he said.

Once a Bill has been passed by Parliament, the President must either assent to the Bill or, if they have reservations about its constitutionality, refer it back to Parliament.

"Since, after considering all the various submissions, I had no such reservations about the BELA Bill, the Constitution obliged me to assent to it," he said.

He said he was convinced that the GNU was essential for the growth and development of the country and that it would not only survive, but that it would thrive.

Last week, the leaders of the parties that form the GNU met to reflect on how the GNU was working, with Ramaphosa affirming that leaders believed it was progressing positively, with everybody playing a constructive role.

Following the May elections, ten parties represented in Parliament signed a Statement of Intent committing themselves to work together in government and Parliament to advance the country's interests.

The parties agreed to certain fundamental principles, including to respect the Constitution and the rule of law and to promote accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance.

Ramaphosa noted that there were issues on which leaders disagreed and there would be times when differences between the parties would become more apparent, however, he said what was significant and most welcome was that the members of the Executive had undertaken their work as part of a Cabinet collective.

"…although they are drawn from different parties, they have pursued the common GNU programme. They have worked in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration as Cabinet colleagues to serve the interests of the South African people," he said.

He highlighted that Ministers and Deputy Ministers had been focused not on the interests of their respective parties, but on the common mandate they have received to build and develop the country.

Former Minister Pravin Gordhan will be laid to rest on Thursday, in a category 2 Special Official Funeral.

The Presidency announced on Monday that Gordhan's funeral will take place in Durban, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center, at 10:00, followed by a private cremation.

Gordhan passed away at the age of 75 in the early hours of September 13, following a period of illness.

Scores of tributes have since poured in for the activist and retired politician from political party leaders, business leaders and State organisations that Gordhan had headed up.

Thursday's funeral service will see the South African Police Service perform ceremonial elements.

"Mr Gordhan's family has requested that in lieu of floral tributes, mourners offer donations to charities of their choice, or the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation," the Presidency said.

Political parties and civil society organisations on Friday expressed mixed reactions to the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, which President Cyril Ramaphosa said was an important step in resolving challenges in the country's education system.

Despite some public rejection, and concern over the Bill's constitutionality, Ramaphosa signed it into law, however, he placed on hold clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill for three months to find solutions to the concerns around them. Should no solutions be found, the Bill will be implemented fully, he said.

The African National Congress (ANC) called on all stakeholders in the education sector to embrace "this important development" and work together to ensure the successful implementation of the BELA Bill for the benefit of children, communities, and the future of the nation.

ANC Acting National Spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi said the signing of the Bill marked a significant step in strengthening governance and transforming South Africa's education system.

"We believe that education is the cornerstone of economic liberation to active citizenship and the empowerment of all South Africans. The amendments to the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the Employment of Educators Act of 1998 through the BELA Bill will ensure that our legal framework reflects the evolving needs of our society and responds effectively to the demands of quality education for all," stated Godlimpi.

The party said the legislation upholds the constitutional rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights and provides a mechanism for ensuring equal access to education, inclusive governance in schools, and the fair treatment of educators.

Godlimpi said these amendments will strengthen school governing bodies' accountability, enhance the management of resources, and ensure that learners, particularly from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, are not excluded from the full benefits of education.

Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Chairperson Joy Maimela commended Ramaphosa for signing into law the "very progressive" piece of legislation, that she said will see the landscape of schooling in South Africa change for the better.

Maimela noted the legislation has been more than 11 years in the making and is in line with continuing the transformation agenda of the education sector.

Select Committee on Education, Science and the Creative Industries chairperson Makhi Feni said the "misrepresentation" that the Bill seeks to do away with Afrikaans is unfounded and intended to drive a wedge between South Africans.

He added that Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube's decision to not attend the signing ceremony for a piece of legislation intended for her portfolio is "unfortunate and intended to undermine" the President, noting that the conduct is regrettable.

The committee said the signing of the Bill is an affirmation of the quality of work the previous committee had placed into the public participation processes, and said it appreciated that Ramaphosa has "opened a window" for opponents of this law by asking for further input into the legislation.

RISE Mzansi National Spokesperson Gugu Ndima said the party believes that the Bill, which amends the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act, is not perfect, however, it says it is robust and will ensure that laws that regulate schooling adapt to changes in society and schooling.

"With communities becoming more diverse, RISE Mzansi believes that admission and language policies of schools must result from provincial heads of department and school governing bodies working together. This will eliminate perceived and real discrimination, especially based on language - giving weight to the right to quality education of all learners," said Ndima.

RISE Mzansi agreed with Ramaphosa that homeschooling needs to be appropriately regulated to meet quality education standards and protect the rights of children.

The party did express concerns about the penalties...

As tributes continue to pour in for former Minister Pravin Gordhan, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday remembered him as a principled and courageous freedom fighter, and said that the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill would affirm Gordhan's vision of a just and equal society, to which he dedicated his life.

Despite strong contestation against the Bill, Ramaphosa signed it into law at the Union Buildings, saying it was an important step in resolving challenges in the country's education system.

"It was President Nelson Mandela who said that it is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education. This law is part of our ongoing effort to create such a world. Since the advent of democracy we have made notable progress in expanding access to education for the children of our country. However, barriers to access still remain. In many respects, education outcomes fall short of what our society needs and what the young people of our country deserve. Our Constitution enshrines the right of all to a basic education," Ramaphosa said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), AfriForum, and the FW de Klerk Foundation have all hit back strongly against the Bill, now an Act, which they say will take away powers relating to language and admissions policies from school governing bodies (SGBs).

The DA warned of a "financial timebomb", saying presentations made to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament by the Financial and Fiscal Commission, earlier this year, revealed that the BELA Bill would cost R17.7-billion to implement at an absolute minimum.

DA Western Cape spokesperson on education Leon van Wyk said the Bill stood to bankrupt the education sector, as the country could not afford to implement it.

FW de Klerk Foundation Constitutional Programmes manager Daniela Ellerbeckit said the organisation was concerned about the criminalisation of parents should they fail to enrol their child from Grade R (Section 3(6) of the Act).

"The Foundation is concerned that the BELA Act goes against grassroots democracy by centralising powers away from parents and schools' local communities. It is also concerned that criminalising parents is the wrong solution, one which will disproportionately impact socio-economically vulnerable families," she said.

However, after challenging the Bill, AfriForum said on Friday that it now "welcomed a tactical breakthrough" on the law.

It said it met with Ramaphosa on Thursday to dispute certain aspects of the law, such as the head of the provincial Department of Education having the final say on schools' admission and language policies.

"A tactical breakthrough was made this morning in AfriForum, Solidarity and the Solidariteit Skoleondersteuningsentrum's fight against two unacceptable articles in the Basic Education Act that was just signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. In what these organisations consider a win for Afrikaans communities, Ramaphosa decided to open Articles 4 and 5 of this law for further discussion and therefore not to implement it immediately. This serves as proof that public pressure can succeed," AfriForum said.

The implementation date for clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill will be delayed by three months, to allow for further engagement on the matter. Ramaphosa warned that if parties cannot agree on an approach, then those parts of the Bill will be implemented.

However, AfriForum warned that should discussions lead to "nothing", it would head to court.

"If it were to be implemented, it would be an act of aggression against the Afrikaans community that would not only break the 1994 settlement but also damage the spirit of the Government of National Unity (GNU)," it declared.

DA leader John Steenhuisen, who had warned of Ramaphosa jeopardising the GNU if he signed the Bill into law, also said the DA would be ready to head to court if the clauses were implemented.

Ramaphosa pointed to historical redress in advancing the right to basic educati...