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After declaring itself the "constructive opposition", Action SA says the African National Congress's (ANC's) "mealy-mouthed" acceptance of Zizi Kodwa's resignation as ANC MP is an indication of their lack of commitment to fighting corruption.

Kodwa, a former Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security, was implicated in the State Capture Commission of Inquiry for allegedly receiving a R1.7-million bribe from an executive of a local technology company, which received government tenders.

On Tuesday, Kodwa and his co-accused, businessman Jehan Mackay, briefly appeared in court. Their case was postponed to August 21.

On Thursday, Kodwa tendered his immediate resignation to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.

"ActionSA argued from the outset that it is unthinkable for a member of Parliament to simultaneously juggle courtroom appearances for breaking corruption laws while also serving in Parliament and shaping the country's laws," said party parliamentary caucus leader Athol Trollip.

He said the ANC's integrity committee and step-aside policy did not prevent Kodwa being sworn in as an MP, despite the allegations of corruption against him.

"ActionSA believes that, in the interest of the integrity of Parliament, it is imperative to forgo the status quo where individuals accused of corruption continue to walk the corridors of Parliament in flagrant disregard of the ethical standards demanded of all representatives," Trollip said.

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that he had decided to name Mandisa Maya as the country's new Chief Justice, from September 1, there has been an overwhelmingly positive reception to her appointment, particularly as she is set to become the first female Chief Justice in South Africa.

Raymond Zondo will step down as Chief Justice when his term expires on August 31, and after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and political parties, Ramaphosa decided Deputy Chief Justice Maya would be suitable to lead the judiciary.

"The Commission subsequently assured the President of Justice Maya's suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the interview, Justice Maya's qualifications and judicial record, her leadership qualities, her experience as a judge in various courts, her past leadership of the Supreme Court of Appeal and her role as Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the President," the Presidency said.

The African National Congress (ANC) expressed its support for Maya and pointed to her qualifications and judicial record in being able to lead South Africa's judiciary.

"Justice Maya exemplifies the belief that access should hold both jurisprudential and practical significance, her principles are built on a dedication to serving the people. Justice Maya will be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief Justice, affirming the ANC's commitment to gender equality and advancing women's leadership across all sectors and societal leadership structures," the party said.

ActionSA said Maya's appointment was historic and a landmark moment for South Africa's judicial system and the country's commitment to gender equality and women empowerment.

"Justice Mandisa Maya's appointment represents a breakthrough in the traditionally male-dominated judiciary, serving as a beacon of progress and inspiration to women across South Africa. Her exemplary career, marked by dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice, sets a powerful example for aspiring female legal professionals. ActionSA believes that her presence on the bench will contribute significantly to a more balanced and representative judiciary, enhancing the perspectives and insights that shape our legal landscape," the party said.

It added that her appointment was in accordance with ActionSA values such as the advancement of women in leadership roles, as well as diversity.

It also pointed to Maya's track record and past judgments which it believed would ensure that the rights of all South Africans were protected.

"We look forward to working with Justice Maya on the JSC to ensure we find and appoint the best possible jurists to the bench to ensure that our judiciary upholds the Constitution and all its provisions and maintains its integrity by eschewing any political overreach," the party said.

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development chairperson Xola Nqola also applauded Maya's "milestone" appointment for the advancement of gender equality and the emancipation of women.

"She follows in the footsteps of great legal minds as she becomes the seventh Chief Justice in the democratic South Africa. The committee wishes her well on her appointment and knows she will make the country proud," said Nqola.

The Democratic Alliance also congratulated Maya on her appointment and wished her well in her role.

"As a party whose key principle is the rule of law, we wish her well as she takes up this vigorous task. While we look forward to Justice Maya's appointment, we also extend our deepest thanks to Justice Raymond Zondo, who will be stepping down as Chief Justice. His contributions to upholding the Constitution and the Rule of Law will not be forgotten," it said.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) described Maya as a beacon of justice and an advocate for the marginalised. It noted that it had consistently supported her candidacy for Chief Justice.

The EFF said May...

Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Friday urged all sectors of society to work with the Government of National Unity (GNU) to ensure a stable, efficient and effective democracy, while he promised that the new multi-party government would prioritise economic growth and job creation.

Mashatile was speaking at a two-day conference hosted by the University of Johannesburg and the National School of Government, where attendees reflected on the state of South Africa 30 years into democracy, under the theme 'Three Decades of Democracy in South Africa: Towards Social, Economic and Global Transformation'.

Mashatile, who delivered the keynote address on day two, said the reflection at the conference must ensure that over the next three decades there is meaningful social, economic and global transformation.

He pointed out that since the inception of its democracy, South Africa has made significant strides in overcoming past decisions.

He said there had been remarkable progress in social transformation and pointed out that the impact of democracy on social change had been "profound and far-reaching".

"...the 2024 election outcomes present us an opportunity to return to the task of building a South Africa that will no longer be defined by race, class or gender, a South Africa where all have equal opportunities," he said.

The GNU's goal, he stated, was to encourage fixed capital investment, industrialisation and job creation and to transform citizens' lives.

While he noted that the 41.9% unemployment rate was an increase of 0.8% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with the fourth quarter of 2023, he acknowledged that the youth continued to bear the brunt of unemployment, with those aged 15 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years holding the highest unemployment rates at 59.7% and 40.7%, respectively.

He stressed that government "remains intentional" in investing in education, skills development and providing quality healthcare.

He laid out that, over the next five years, government's priorities were inclusive growth, maintaining and optimising the social wage, and building a capable, ethical and developmental State.

"While we have made significant progress in changing the spatial outlook of towns and cities, government will invest in building developmental, resilient and strong local government," he said.

He pointed out that developing a solid strategy for economic transformation should be at the centre of the GNU's dialogue.

"As a testament to the seventh administration's promising start and the commitment of various political parties within the GNU, we have agreed to develop a common programme to create a better, more equal, and more just South Africa. For us to reach our objective, the National Development Plan 2030 goals remain the central pillar to guide the development approach, which will inform the outcomes to be achieved in this administration," Mashatile said.

ACCOUNTABILITY

University of the Witwatersrand School of Governance head Professor Themba Maseko pointed out that there was limited accountability in the country's current governance framework.

He said the challenge was the extent to which the country's governance system enabled the country to achieve social justice.

He noted maladministration in the different spheres of local, national and provincial government, noting that elected representatives were not being held accountable.

He said the country's governance system needed to be strengthened.

Mashatile agreed and said, while he believed South Africa had sound policies, it struggled with execution, owing to deficiencies in accountability.

Accountability, he said, was essential for successful implementation.

"Our motto now is to strategically put our policies into action. To deliver results, we must invest in preparation, devise a workable plan and be more meticulous in our implementation. We are exploring the concept and science of deliverology as a way to do our work," he said.

He said programmes such as Operation Vulindlel...

South Africa's new multi-party administration must prioritise reviving State-run port, water and power networks and work to automate processes to attract investment and boost lagging growth, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busisiwe Mavuso said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of the African National Congress (ANC) put together a government of national unity after a May 29 election failed to produce an outright winner. Some voters opted for other parties after 30 years of ANC-majority rule ended in rolling power cuts and logistics snarl-ups, an economy that has barely grown over the past decade, a jobless rate of 33%, endemic crime, and corruption.

"The beauty of what we have right now in the GNU is that policymaking has been liberated from Luthuli House," Mavuso, said in an interview Thursday, referring to the ANC's headquarters. "There are going to be a whole lot more robust conversations about the policies that are put in place."

This includes talks about the National Health Insurance Act, which Ramaphosa signed into law less than two weeks before the national elections after years of wrangling. The legislation bans the private sector from offering cover for treatment available under the NHI, and opponents say it will neither remedy the health-care system's shortfalls or be affordable for the state.

"The NHI as it stands is a farce - it's unimplementable, it's unfundable," said Mavuso. "What it does seek to do is to decimate the private health-care system," she said.

While South Africa is "failing at the basics" and has missed opportunities to position itself as a viable destination for companies in free-market democracies to move their supply chains away from authoritarian regimes such as China, foundations laid in the prior administration are a positive signal that the trajectory is set to improve, she said.

To ensure South Africa's growth trajectory is bolstered, the nation needs to address the backlog in visas by introducing more automated processes, have more of its biggest ports - ranked among the world's worst performers - run privately, move more goods by rail rather than trucks, and scrap the NHI, Mavuso said.

It also needs to streamline regulations for public-private partnerships to make them less complex, which the National Treasury has proposed.

"We've already done a lot to propel ourselves and position ourselves to reclaiming our spot of being the gateway to investment to the African continent," Mavuso said, pointing to efforts by the Department of Home Affairs under its new minister, Leon Schreiber, to address a backlog of 300 000 professional-skills visas for foreigners that's employers say has hindered investment.

"When we look at what the biggest problem is which has made South Africa uninvestable, CEOs talk about how difficult our trading environment is," Mavuso said. "The structural-reform agenda needs to be implemented."

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will appear before the Electoral Court on Thursday in a case against President Cyril Ramaphosa, following his speech to the nation shortly before the May elections.

In May, Ramaphosa made a presidential address in which he highlighted his government's successes, as the sixth administration came to a close.

DA noted that under the guise of delivering an address to the nation, Ramaphosa violated the Electoral Code of Conduct when he "abused" the highest office in the land for "flagrant electioneering".

The DA contends that the President's speech contained content to advance the African National Congress's prospects in the election.

This, the DA argued, was an "abuse" of a State institution for party political purposes, said DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille.

Amongst other things, Zille said this violated the Electoral Code of Conduct which the President was bound to uphold.

She explained that despite efforts to reach a settlement, the case was proceeding, which she said underscored the DA's commitment to preventing public office bearers from misusing State institutions for partisan purposes.

Former Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has resigned as an African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament with immediate effect.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said he received a letter from Kodwa formally communicating his resignation.

He noted that the party accepted the letter and wished him well.

Kodwa, a former Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security, was implicated in the State Capture Commission of Inquiry, for allegedly receiving a R1.7-million bribe from an executive of a local technology company, which received government tenders.

On Tuesday, Kodwa and his co-accused, businessman Jehan Mackay, briefly appeared in court. Their case was postponed to August 21.

They were released on R30 000 bail, when they first appeared in court last month.

Kodwa was appointed Sports, Arts and Culture Minister last year after being Deputy Minister of State Security. He was ANC spokesperson from 2014 to 2017.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape noted on Wednesday that it is looking forward to the development of the regulations which will guide the rollout and implementation of the Climate Change Act.

On Tuesday President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the much anticipated Act, which sets out a national climate change response, including mitigation and adaptation actions.

The Act also constitutes South Africa's fair contribution to the global climate change response.

The Presidency highlighted that the Climate Change Act enabled the alignment of policies that influenced South Africa's climate change response, to ensure that South Africa's transitioned to a low carbon and climate resilient economy and society was not constrained by policy contradictions.

The Act aims to strengthen coordination between national sector departments and provide policy setting and decision-making to enable South Africa to meet the commitments in Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

DA Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning spokesperson Dave Bryant explained that members of the DA in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and various municipalities were integrally involved in the development of the legislation through the submission of comments and recommendations, as well as attendance at public hearings.

Bryant said the final version of the Bill was unanimously supported by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

He pointed out that climate change was a significant challenge facing communities across the Western Cape and that it was essential that steps were taken to ensure adaptation.

Bryant highlighted that changes in climate would inevitably have an impact on viticulture and agriculture, noting that these industries must be protected and grown.

He said the recent floods had also shown the dangers posed by unprecedented weather events, which he noted were occurring more frequently.

Bryant explained that the DA would ensure that the Western Cape stayed ahead of the curve by implementing important adaptation measures in line with the recommendations already set out in the party's own localised climate change strategies.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George said the signing of the Bill marked a significant milestone in the nation's commitment to addressing climate change, highlighting that the legislation provided a comprehensive framework for climate action across society and for the economy.

"We are now poised to move forward with its implementation, As we implement the Act, we welcome the active engagement of citizens, workers and businesses, to move to low-emissions and climate-resilient development," he said.

South Africa's inflation rate slowed slightly in June, touching a six-month low and potentially encouraging the central bank to consider cutting interest rates later this year.

Consumer prices rose 5.1% in June from a year earlier, compared with 5.2% in the prior month, Pretoria-based Statistics South Africa said Wednesday in a statement on its website. That matched the median of 16 economists' estimates in a Bloomberg survey.

The data bolsters the reserve bank's improved inflation outlook, which now sees prices slowing below the 4.5% midpoint of its target range in the fourth quarter. Officials have repeatedly stressed they won't adjust policy until that goal is reached, but some of them have softened their hawkish stance.

The central bank's six-member policy committee last week voted to leave interest rates at 8.25% but the decision was split, fanning hopes it was becoming more open to easing. Two wanted to cut rates by 25 basis points while four officials favoured a hold, with Governor Lesetja Kganyago arguing there needs to be a sustained decline for officials to be confident inflation is under control.

Contributing to the change was a 4.6% rise in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, which was the slowest gain since September 2020. Transport costs rose by 5.5% last month, down from 6.3% in May.

Solidarity noted on Wednesday that it has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) when a core pillar on which the State's centralisation of healthcare rests was declared unconstitutional in the High Court.

The court ruled that Certificates of Need (CoNs) in the National Health Act Sections 36 to 40, in which the government would have the power to determine where medical practitioners may practise, are "invalid" in their entirety.

The ruling will go to the Constitutional Court for confirmation.

"As a result of this specific case brought to court by Solidarity and other applicants, the controversial CoNs have been crossed out," said Solidarity CE Dr Dirk Hermann.

Solidarity highlighted that in its current format the NHI cannot be implemented, as central planning is an important factor, "and this has now been found unconstitutional".

Earlier this month, the organisation vowed to fight the Bill in court.

In May, the organisation served court documents on the government, this after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Act, less than two weeks before the May 29 elections.

The Act was signed amid significant criticism from political parties and civil society organisations, with Solidarity saying the NHI Act was "impracticable, unnecessary and totally unaffordable".

Hermann noted that according to the court judgment, the Department of Health must also bear Solidarity's and the other parties' costs.

"Years of hard work and sustained support from the general public as well as role players in the medical industry opposing the legislation have been justified with this judgment," he highlighted.

The organisation explained that its sights were still completely set on the court battle against the NHI Act, which dealt more specifically with the centralisation of funds for healthcare.

Hermann said Solidarity would continue its litigation against the NHI in its entirety and believed it was now in a very strong position to achieve victory in court.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it had always been committed to its belief in universal quality healthcare for all citizens, however, it remained adamant that the NHI was not the vehicle for this.

The party said the Bill would cause much damage to the public and private health sectors.

DA Health spokesperson Michele Clarke said the court ruling had important implications for the implementation of the NHI Act as the Act heavily relies on CoNs for the placement of service providers, such as doctors or nurses, in specific communities.

A sizable portion of World Trade Organization (WTO) members supported a move from a group of African countries pushing for Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to expedite a run for a second four-year term.

Fifty-eight of the Geneva-based organization's 164 members, "several speaking on behalf of groups of members, took the floor to comment and express their support for the African Group proposal," the WTO said in a statement late Monday.

Okonjo-Iweala's current term expires in August 2025. According to the statement, she said she "took the call of members very seriously and was favorably inclined," adding that she would reply with her intentions "very soon."

While the statement didn't explain why the process needed to start as soon as possible, the US presidential election is set for November. And a return of former US President Donald Trump could jeopardize Okonjo-Iweala's chances of getting the support of an American administration if he wins.

In the previous presidential election year of 2020, the Trump administration supported a different candidate - then-South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee to be WTO director-general, slowing the selection process. In early 2021, a newly elected Biden administration backed Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister and World Bank official.