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The African National Congress (ANC) said on Tuesday that multilateralism is under immense pressure but is needed now more than before, albeit in a renewed sense.

The party said the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, particularly the inability of multilateral bodies and great powers to end these, demonstrated a larger crisis of an international order that the party said lacked a common moral vision for humanity and that highlighted "a dire need for visionary leaders to step up and pull humanity from the brink".

The ANC stressed its belief that the South African government had been unrelenting in the fight to defend the cause of peace, justice, solidarity and multilateralism in the international arena.

"Our unwavering commitment to a rules-based international order, justice and international law are expressed in our recent case at the International Court of Justice," it said.

The ANC said government's defence of Palestinians was at the same time an assertion of the rights and sovereignty of all oppressed peoples worldwide.

"Our position is a strong call for a global fight for human rights and the right to self-determination; as well as a categorical rejection of wars of aggression as legitimate means of solving political problems," it said.

The ANC congratulated the UK and France for their respective successful elections in the past week.

"We send a special word of congratulations to the Labour Party in the United Kingdom and the New Popular Front in France. The new administrations in the UK and France will assume office in the context of an international situation that is fraught with major geopolitical tensions and further humanitarian risks attached to those," said the ANC.

It highlighted that poverty and inequality had been persistent and were putting strain on democratic politics the world over.

The party noted that the global situation demanded a fundamental rethink on the part of European leaders on how they wished to engage with the world and be received.

It highlighted that ongoing discussions about climate justice, and the distribution of climate responsibility between the developed and developing nations, were among the pressing challenges.

The major issue was how developed States should meaningfully shoulder the greatest responsibility for climate change, and consider the known history of the combined but uneven development of the world, the ANC stated.

"Similarly, the recent developments in the Sahel region of Africa raise important questions for European governments, especially the new French administration, to consider with respect to their foreign policy approaches," the party said.

It highlighted that a new global consensus for peace must be forged and ought to address itself to the root causes of conflict.

The ANC said the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it said brute force and displacement continued to devastate communities, exemplified such conflict whose roots require attention.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it believes that it is not reasonable or rational to elect Umkhonto weSizwe Party's (MKP) caucus leader in Parliament Dr John Hlophe as a representative of the National Assembly on the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).

The MKP nominated the impeached former judge president of the Western Cape Hlophe to serve in the JSC.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly voted for House Chairpersons and members to represent Parliament on the JSC, Pan-African Parliament and the South African Development Community Parliamentary Forum.

Hlophe was removed from his office as a judge for gross misconduct after it was found that he tried to influence Constitutional Court justices to decide a politically sensitive case in favour of former President and present MK leader Jacob Zuma.

The finding of gross misconduct was made by the JSC and the courts, and Parliament impeached him.

The newly formed South African Parliament is expected to vote on MPs who will be deployed to the JSC on Tuesday, after the motion was previously withdrawn last week.

The DA, along with the Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party, recorded their objections to Hlophe serving on the JSC, with DA Chief Whip George Michalakis highlighting that it was a matter of public record that Hlophe lost the status as a judge of the High Court in South Africa as a consequence of a finding of gross misconduct by the JSC.

"The decision to be taken today is furthermore not merely a political decision, but the exercise of a public power aimed at contributing to the establishment of the very same Judicial Services Commission," Michalakis said.

He highlighted that the National Assembly must act in a reasonable and rational manner.

"The second reason why Parliament should not elect Dr Hlophe is to be found in the Constitutional obligation which we as members of the National Assembly enjoy to assist and protect the Judiciary in order to ensure its independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness," said Michalakis.

DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development advocate Glynnis Breytenbach highlighted that it would be irrational for the National Assembly to have the same person impeached representing it on the JSC, saying this is a clear conflict of interest and an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary of South Africa.

The National Assembly was bound to protect and assist the judiciary's independence, integrity, and dignity, which the DA did not take lightly, she added.

"Persons elected to represent the National Assembly on the JSC must hold such values, which cannot be said for Hlophe. We risk undermining the JSC processes for the election of judges and their investigations into judges' conduct, endangering the rule of law in South Africa and the proper functioning of the judiciary," Breytenbach said.

Six civil society organisations have written to National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza expressing deep concern about the possibility of Hlophe becoming one of the assembly's representatives on the JSC.

Freedom Under Law, the Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution, Judges Matter, Helen Suzman Foundation, Defend our Democracy and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, have urged parliament not to vote to designate Hlophe as a member of the JSC "to protect the integrity of the JSC, the judicial appointments process, and the judiciary".

The African National Congress (ANC) has said it will protect the unity of the government, ensuring its collaborative efforts within the Government of National Unity (GNU) yield positive outcomes for all South Africans.

Later this week the seventh democratic administration will hold its first Cabinet Lekgotla under the GNU, from July 13 to 14.

After losing its outright majority in the 2024 national and provincial elections, the ANC was forced to approach opposition parties to form a coalition government.

The ANC has announced that ten of the 18 parties with seats in the National Assembly have signed the GNU Statement of Intent (SoL).

The Cabinet Lekgotla would develop the policy programme of government - as contained in the SoL - into a government action plan with targets and timelines, said the ANC.

The party explained that government was gearing up to serve the Republic, by providing policy certainty and a stable environment for national development, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to its manifesto priorities.

The ANC has also affirmed its commitment to transparent governance and collaborative leadership, assuring citizens it will ensure stability, and provide clear policy direction.

The party acknowledged that the establishment of the ANC-led GNU introduced a new and unfamiliar dynamic.

"The government has been successfully formed at the national level and in all nine provinces, marking a new chapter of unity and progress for our nation," the ANC said.

"Together, we are dedicated to building State capacity, enhancing education and healthcare, and fostering social cohesion and democratic participation. The collective foreign policy supports human rights, constitutionalism, and peaceful conflict resolution," the party added.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the National Assembly will vote for the House Committee chairpersons, designate representatives of Parliament to the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum as well as designate Members of Parliament to serve on the Judicial Services Commission.

National Assembly Portfolio Committees will also meet to elect committee chairpersons and receive departmental briefings in preparation for the budget votes scheduled for this term.

"This process is crucial for the effectiveness and accountability of our government, as these committees play a vital role in overseeing various sectors of government operations and holding the executive accountable," the party said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) said newly appointed Public Works and Infrastructure (PW&I) MEC Martin Meyer's decision to reduce unnecessary expenditure on "niceties", sends a clear message that he is serious about ensuring that public funds are used to improve the lives of KZN residents.

The announcement, in the form of a departmental circular issued late last week, was in line with KZN Premier Thami Ntuli's call to ensure that every rand was spent on the people of the province, said DA KZN spokesperson on Public Works and Infrastructure Tammy Colley.

The party welcomed the decision, which will cut unnecessary expenditure, including goodie bags for guests and politicians, along with new banners and billboards, in the run-up to the province's budget process.

Colley said Meyer's "courageous decision" showed a firm commitment to cutting cost, while also acknowledging the severe strain that the provincial budget was currently under.

"Seemingly simple things, such as not printing glossy PW&I budget pamphlets, using existing promotional materials - as opposed to procuring new ones - and eliminating budget day goodie bags for guests and politicians all mean more money can be spent where it matters," she said.

She further highlighted that Meyer announced that there would be no new diaries with his image on them, no new framed photographs of him in every KZN PW&I office and no new billboards with his image as they did not speak to the department's mandate.

"The MEC has committed to turning around his department and making it an example of good governance. He has further committed to ensuring that the needs of KZN's residents are placed at the forefront of all decisions taken by this office," she noted.

The DA said it would continue to offer alternatives and positive solutions to the challenges residents may encounter, allowing the party to showcase its track record of good governance.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that while the Government of National Unity (GNU) is committed to the far-reaching structural electricity reforms it started during the sixth administration, he said the country's electricity system remains vulnerable and a possibility of further loadshedding cannot be rule out yet.

Last Friday marked 100 days since South Africa last experienced loadshedding, with Ramaphosa noting that this was the longest continuous period without loadshedding since 2020.

Ramaphosa said the latest milestone reached in the structural reform journey is the commencement of trading last week of the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), which he said would own and operate the country's national electricity transmission system.

"This forms part of the reforms we have been driving to establish an electricity market that will enable competition, secure supply and revolutionise the energy sector," he explained.

He highlighted that as the GNU began its work, it would sustain this momentum.

"For us to continue to implement the Energy Action Plan and support the hard-working management and staff of Eskom, who are day by day helping to bring us out of this crisis, we must all pull in the same direction," said Ramaphosa.

He explained that by focusing on the broader picture and by scaling up what had already been achieved, government was in a far better position to achieve the task it had set: end loadshedding and achieve an energy-secure future.

"We have reached 100 days without loadshedding by working together. This should encourage us to redouble our efforts and to strengthen the collaboration between all stakeholders in both the public and private sectors," he said.

ESKOM'S SUCCESSES

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa highlighted that last week Eskom successfully commissioned Unit 5 at the Kusile power station, adding an additional 800 MW to the grid.

This followed the power utility's work to return three units at Kusile to service ahead of schedule, he said.

He explained that the improvement in the reliability of power supply had been a relief for households, who had been able to go about their daily lives without the inconvenience of loadshedding.

It had also been a great relief for businesses, he added.

"The latest consumer confidence index compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research found that the suspension of loadshedding was a factor that contributed towards increased consumer confidence in the second quarter of this year," Ramaphosa said.

This improvement, he said, was also a boost to the national economy, which was reliant on the availability and reliability of electricity supply for growth.

There was cause for optimism that business and investor confidence would improve, he said.

He said the GNU was committed to resolving the immediate electricity supply challenges and lay the groundwork for energy security into the future.

Ramaphosa said that these reforms included the removal of the licensing threshold for new power generation projects, tax incentives for rooftop solar, opening more bid windows for renewable energy projects, and improving Eskom's operational viability.

The African National Congress (ANC) said on Friday it is committed to not only maintaining the 100 consecutive days without loadshedding, but also to permanently end loadshedding.

Eskom celebrated reaching 100 consecutive days without loadshedding, on Friday.

The ANC pledged its continuous implementation and enhancement of strategies laid out in the Energy Action Plan (EAP), which it said would ensure that progress was sustainable and that every South African could enjoy reliable and uninterrupted electricity.

The ANC noted that the 100 consecutive days achievement were a testament to the "relentless efforts" and commitment of government, spearheaded by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Energy Crisis Committee, led by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

The party said despite Eskom's success, it remained acutely aware of the challenges that loadshedding had brought to citizens.

"From disrupting businesses and causing economic losses to affecting the quality of life in households across the nation, the impact of inconsistent electricity supply has been profound. Families have struggled with power outages that disrupted their daily routines, children's education has been interrupted, and businesses, especially small enterprises, have faced operational challenges that threatened their survival," the party said.

In July 2022, government launched the comprehensive EAP, focusing on both immediate relief and long-term energy security, which the ANC said had been instrumental in achieving the current milestone.

The party noted a recent and remarkable achievement in the country's journey is Eskom's successful addition of 800 MW to the national grid as Kusile power station's Unit 5 achieved commercial operation.

"This milestone, after months of rigorous testing and optimisation, marks a significant leap in our efforts to stabilise South Africa's power system. With the total output of Kusile power station now above 4 000 MW, this unit not only contributes a substantial amount of power but also enhances the stability of our network," said the party.

The ANC also noted the completion of Kusile power station Unit 5, which is part of a broader Generation Operational Recovery Plan, initiated in March 2023 with the aim of adding a total of 2 500 MW to the grid by the end of this year.

"Moreover, Kusile power station's innovative use of wet flue gas desulphurisation technology underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability. This technology makes Kusile the first power station in South Africa and Africa to use such emissions abatement technology, ensuring compliance with international air quality standards," said the ANC.

In expanding generation capacity, there was significant reduction on the reliance on diesel-powered turbines, which has not only improved the country's environmental footprint but also alleviated financial pressure on Eskom.

"By focusing on more sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions, we are securing a more stable and economically viable future for South Africa's power supply," the party said.

South African inflation expectations for the next two years declined, signalling progress in the central bank's efforts to rein them in before its policy meeting later this month.

Average inflation expectations two years ahead - which the bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) uses to inform its decision-making - fell to 4.9% in the second quarter from 5.2% previously, according to a survey released on Friday by the Stellenbosch-based Bureau for Economic Research (BER).

All social groups including analysts, businesspeople, and labour officials lowered their inflation forecasts for the entire three-year horizon BER surveys, it said.

"On average, they now anticipate inflation of 5.3% in 2024, 5% in 2025, and 4.9% in 2026," it said. "Their five-year inflation forecast fell below 5% to 4.9% for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2021."

The drop will help ease concerns expressed by the MPC at its last meeting that inflation expectations remain above the 4.5% midpoint of the bank's target range, where it prefers to anchor them. The reading, coupled with easing inflation pressures, may pave the way for interest rates to be lowered later this year.

For now, however, analysts expect the MPC will leave the key interest rate at 8.25% for a seventh straight meeting on July 18.

Forward-rate agreements are pricing in just a 20% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut this month, and an 80% probability of a similar reduction by the next MPC meeting September. The contracts are pricing in 37 basis points of cuts by year-end.

Governor Lesetja Kganyago has been cautious to proclaim an end to the MPC's inflation fight. He's repeatedly said the MPC won't cut rates until inflation is firmly at 4.5%.

The survey respondents still expect the prime overdraft rate - which banks use to lend to consumers - to fall by 50 basis points this year to 11.25%.

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) said on Friday the centre of government needs to be streamlined with more effective processes feeding into Cabinet to ensure better decision-making.

Crucially, only the best people should be appointed to senior positions in the public service and in entities such as Eskom and Transnet, stressed CDE executive director Ann Bernstein.

On Sunday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new Cabinet after forming a government of national unity (GNU), announcing a high number of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

Ramaphosa added two Ministers and seven Deputy Ministers, increasing the Cabinet size to 75. It is the largest Cabinet the country has ever had.

Bernstein said it was unfortunate that Ramaphosa went for an even bigger Cabinet than the enormous ones of previous administrations.

"Big Cabinets are difficult to manage, slow to make decisions, hard to hold accountable and less likely to commit to a clear set of reforms on which there is no back-tracking," she said.

She advised that the incumbents in some 130 mission-critical posts should all reapply for their jobs and, where individuals were not the best possible candidates for these jobs, they should be replaced.

She noted that the newly appointed Cabinet needed to agree on its priorities and an agenda for deepened and speedy economic reform.

The CDE said as part of its AGENDA 2024 project, it had identified five priority areas that required immediate focus, highlighting that dealing with the fiscal crisis must be top of the new government's agenda, with careful attention paid to moderating public-sector remuneration.

"The long-standing crisis in the performance and financial viability of State-owned companies needs to be addressed. Unaffordable, populist policy pronouncements made during the election, will need to be rethought," said Bernstein.

She also wants prioritisation in freeing up the economy so that markets and firms - disciplined by competition, but supported by a capable State - are able to thrive.

She said a growing economy was the only way to ensure that millions of people had the opportunity to rise out of poverty.

Public-private partnerships need to be used to harness private-sector capacity for infrastructure development, and should be introduced as widely as possible, she added.

According to the CDE, a new approach to mass poverty and inclusion was required, based on incentivising employment for millions of people desperate for work.

It is essential that the rule of law is dramatically strengthened, she said, highlighting a need for implementation of a new approach to governance.

South African Institute of International Affairs national chairperson Moeletsi Mbeki said on Thursday the African National Congress (ANC) has failed dismally in prioritising the country's leadership role on the African continent.

Mbeki was speaking during an Institute for Security Studies webinar on exploring pathways for the constructive evolution of South Africa's international relations, where he expressed concerns that if the country had a continuity of ANC dominance in foreign policy under the Government of National Unity, then it was going to continue to fail.

He noted that South Africa had failed as a leader in Africa, while succeeding economically under leadership from the private sector, which he said was not owing to the ANC government's help.

He said there was definitely an apparent continuity in terms of foreign policy, partly because all the other political parties had been pointing out, in their manifestos at least, that they were not interested in issues of foreign affairs and foreign relations.

"There was a bit of backtracking by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) about its open borders policy, that South Africa must open its borders to everybody from Africa, but beyond this, there was little interest in foreign policy," he said.

He explained that ANC had had a history of long involvement with the international community in the struggle against apartheid, noting that foreign policy had consequently always been an important part of the ANC going back to the founding of the breakaway Pan African Congress.

Mbeki highlighted that foreign policy was thus second nature to the ANC.

"South Africa's leadership role on the African continent should [also] be a priority for South Africa, and the ANC government has failed dismally in that department. The South African government's foreign policy in Africa has failed," he averred.

MILITARY

Mbeki stated that the ANC had, for instance, destroyed the South African military.

"I was reading somewhere that the World Bank recommends militaries spend 2% of gross domestic product, South Africa's military spending is 0.07% of GDP. The consequence of this is we are getting our army being hammered by the Rwandans in the Eastern DRC," he explained.

Mbeki said South Africa was not a military leader in Africa, and added that it was actually a liability to the continent.

He said South Africa needed a strong military, instead the country had an "old people's army".

"The average age of a South African soldier, I am told, is 40 years old. The average age of an American private is 19 years old," he said.

Mbeki explained that the country's air force was grounded owing to lack of maintenance, saying there were soldiers in the Eastern DRC who did not have attack helicopters to protect them.

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the new electricity surcharge of R200 for prepaid customers in Johannesburg, the GOOD Party has slammed parties and organisations that accused it of voting for the tariff.

GOOD stressed its opposition to the surcharge and said it was not present during the Council budget vote as it had a vacancy following the firing of its former councillor Lloyd Phillips.

It hit back against ActionSA, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse and the Sowetan newspaper for "spreading false information".

"[They] clearly did not do their homework and confirm the information independently, but chose to spread rumours based on incorrect social media posts. The Sowetan has since agreed to correct their article. The unnecessary financial burden placed on residents goes against everything GOOD stands for and has been fighting against since our formation in 2019. GOOD has continuously fought against high tariffs and unnecessary charges across the country and condemned the municipalities that seek to unlawfully profit from hiking tariffs above what NERSA prescribes," GOOD said.

In a statement on Thursday, City of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said the new surcharge was a necessary intervention to create fairness and equality in the municipality's tariff regime.

"Post-paid customers have been paying the surcharge and only pre-paid customers were excluded. What the introduction of the surcharge now seeks to do, is to end the unfair subsidisation of prepaid customers by post-paid customers," he said.

He said the necessary consultations with residents were undertaken before the approval of the new surcharge and acknowledged the opposition to it, but defended the move by saying the City needed to maintain the electricity system to meet the needs of a growing population.

It also condemned "any attempt to sabotage this critical intervention" and likened it to an attempt to deliberately collapse the City's infrastructure.