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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will on Thursday institute proceedings at the Equality Court, in Gqeberha, against Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Renaldo Gouws for alleged racial utterances aired in online media posts.

In a video posted on social media, Gouws allegedly called for the killing of Black people using extremely "offensive and derogatory" language.

"This explicit content, initially published on his YouTube channel in March 2010, was archived despite being deleted and has resurfaced, revealing behaviour that is incompatible with the principles of dignity and equality enshrined in South African law," said the SAHRC.

The SAHRC said given Gouw's position as an MP, his alleged actions carried even greater weight and responsibility, as he was expected to uphold and embody the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.

The commission said it was tagged on social media by aggrieved citizens asking it to intervene in the matter, as it was empowered to do so by the South African Human Rights Commission Act, by bringing proceedings in a competent court or tribunal in its own name or on behalf of a person or a group or class of persons.

It highlighted that following its assessment of the content, it had concluded that utterances allegedly made by Gouws constituted hate speech and/or harassment as contemplated in terms of sections 10 and 11 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000.

Gouws has since been removed from his duties with immediate effect while he faces disciplinary charges before the DA's federal legal commission.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in on Wednesday for a second term in which his African National Congress (ANC) will share power with other parties after it lost its majority for the first time in 30 years of democracy.

A former liberation movement, the ANC came to power under Nelson Mandela's leadership in the 1994 elections that marked the end of apartheid and had long been unbeatable, but it lost its shine after presiding over years of decline.

Following a parliamentary election on May 29 in which no party won a majority, Ramaphosa will head a government of national unity with five other parties, including the ANC's largest rival, the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA).

While investors have welcomed the inclusion of the DA, which wants to boost growth through structural reforms and prudent fiscal policies, analysts say sharp ideological divisions between the parties could make the government unstable.

Just before the election, Ramaphosa signed into law a National Health Insurance bill that the DA says could collapse a creaking health system. It was unclear what would happen to that law under the new government.

The DA advocates scrapping the ANC's flagship Black economic empowerment programme, saying it hasn't worked -- a highly contentious topic in a nation grappling with huge inequalities, some inherited from apartheid.

African heads of state and dignitaries from as far afield as Cuba, a historical friend of the ANC, gathered outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria, seat of the South African government, to bear witness to Ramaphosa's inauguration.

A ceremony full of military pomp and pageantry began, with inter-faith prayers by Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and traditional African religious leaders, reflecting the diversity of South African society.

Military helicopters flew past in blazing sunshine, trailing South African flags, to cheers from the audience.

Ramaphosa has yet to announce the make-up of his new government, to be negotiated with members of the new alliance.

"The president does not want the country to go through a prolonged period of uncertainty," and consultations will continue even late on Wednesday, his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told state broadcaster SABC.

The ANC remains the largest party after the May 29 election, with 159 seats out of 400 in the National Assembly, but lost millions of votes compared with the previous election in 2019. The DA's vote share remained stable and it has 87 seats.

Voters punished the ANC for high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment, rampant crime, rolling power cuts and corruption in party ranks.

South African inflation was stable in May, data showed on Wednesday, but analysts do not expect interest rate cuts any time soon as it remains above the central bank's desired level.

Headline consumer inflation came in at 5.2% year on year in May, the same as in April, in line with the forecast of economists polled by Reuters.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) wants to see inflation fall to 4.5%, the midpoint of its target band, and has kept its main interest rate at its highest level since 2009 for more than a year to try to achieve that objective.

Inflation has been above 5% for months, and the central bank estimated last month that inflation would only stabilise at 4.5% in the second quarter of 2025.

According to a Reuters poll released on Tuesday, the SARB could wait until November before cutting its repo rate.

Capital Economics analyst David Omojomolo said the formation of a government of national unity following last month's election could ease the central bank's fiscal concerns, meaning a higher chance of a rate cut before the end of this year.

Annabel Bishop at Investec bank said after Wednesday's data that the central bank's tone would probably remain hawkish for now.

Five political parties have joined the African National Congress (ANC) in a unity government after the ANC lost its majority in the May 29 vote for the first time since the end of apartheid 30 years ago.

Markets have been reassured because the unity government includes the pro-business Democratic Alliance and excludes parties viewed as more radical, the hard-left Economic Freedom Fighters and uMkhonto we Sizwe led by former president Jacob Zuma.

Inflation was at 0.2% in May on a month-on-month basis, compared to 0.3% in April.

"The formation of a government of national unity (GNU) is a moment of profound significance. It is the beginning of a new era."

This was the statement made by Cyril Ramaphosa in his inaugural speech, at the Union Buildings, where he pledged himself to be a President for all South Africans and to work with everybody committed to "a better life for all".

The inauguration, which was overseen by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, and attended by various heads of State as well as former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, marks Ramaphosa's second stint as South Africa's leader, but this time, not only backed by his political party, the African National Congress (ANC), but also by other parties that make up the GNU.

After losing its outright majority in the May 29 national and provincial elections the ANC was forced to forge alliances with other parties to form a national government.

The GNU, so far, has five signatories - the ANC, Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance and the GOOD party - representing more than two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly.

In his speech on Wednesday, Ramaphosa compared the GNU to the one that was formed 30 years ago, following the end of Apartheid.

"In their multitude, in voices that are many and diverse, the people of South Africa have voted and made known their wishes, their concerns and their expectations. We accept and respect the results of the elections and we once again say the people have spoken. Their will shall be done without any doubt or question. The voters of South Africa did not give any single party the full mandate to govern our country alone. They have directed us to work together to address their plight and realise their aspirations," he acknowledged.

The President conceded that there were many areas in basic service delivery where the previous government fell short - electricity, jobs, land, housing, food, healthcare, safety, corruption - and assured South Africans that he would work with any political party and sector willing to help tackle the challenges facing the country.

"…the people of South Africa have stressed that they are impatient with political bickering and the endless blame game among politicians and political parties. They want us to put their needs and aspirations first and they want us to work together for the sake of our country. Today I stand before you as your humble servant to say we have heard you. Today, I make a solemn commitment to be a President for all South Africans; to defend our Constitution and protect our democracy; to work with all those who share the dream of a better life for all; to care for the poor and the vulnerable, and to support all those who are in need; and to make our country stronger, more resilient, more equal and united," Ramaphosa pledged.

He noted the strides that had been made since the end of Apartheid to advance the country and the lives of its citizens, but also recognised that inequality and social fragmentation was rife.

Ramaphosa admitted that this could easily turn into instability but said extraordinary courage and leadership and leaders of the country working together could help move the country forward.

He mentioned the Statement of Intent, signed by parties of the GNU which commited to rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and requested that political parties, civil society, labour and business attend a national dialogue to deliberate on the issues facing the country.

While Ramaphosa's speech was full of calls for cooperation, unity and collaboration he also sought to dissuade any attempts that could be made to encourage discord or dissent.

"We must reject every attempt to divide or distract us, to sow doubt or cynicism, or to turn us against one another. Those who seek to stand in our way, those who seek to inflame tensions, will not succeed, because South Africans are resolute. Those who seek to undermine our institutions will fail, because democracy lives in the hearts...

South African political parties that last week agreed to form a governing alliance are limbering up for a tussle over cabinet positions, as President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to be sworn in for a new term.

Senior leaders of Ramaphosa's African National Congress met on Monday to prepare for formal talks on how key posts will be shared in the next administration. While five parties have signed up for the so-called government of national unity, the bulk of the negotiations on the portfolios will be between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance, which emerged as the second-largest party in last month's elections.

The structure of the next cabinet will be closely watched by investors anticipating an acceleration of economic reforms under a more centrist-leaning government. The rand has strengthened almost 3% so far this month as bonds and stocks have rallied on optimism about pro-growth policy continuity.

"The new coalition government faces a myriad of economic challenges including sluggish growth, acute unemployment, and fiscal pressures," HSBC Sub-Saharan Africa Economist David Faulkner said in a note. "We think the government of national unity opens the possibility for more growth-friendly structural reforms and prudent macroeconomic policy choices."

The DA, a centrist party that espouses free-market principles, is eying key portfolios in the economic cluster in the new administration, though they will be opposed by the ANC, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified as they're not authorized to comment. The economy cluster includes the trade and industry, public enterprises and finance ministries.

INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has been sworn in as a lawmaker, making him eligible for reappointment, though he said his future in the portfolio is the prerogative of Ramaphosa.

Asked on June 14 by Bloomberg if he expected to remain finance minister in the next cabinet, he said: "I can't answer that question. The president will."

The ANC is also unlikely to concede to any demands for positions in the security cluster, which includes the police and justice ministries, the people said. It also won't agree to a DA proposal to issue cabinet posts proportional to parties' performance in the election, they said.

Ramaphosa is scheduled to be sworn in at an inauguration ceremony on Wednesday. Bilateral meetings with party leaders will then begin in earnest with a view toward announcing a new cabinet in the coming days.

The president's previous cabinet included 30 ministers and 36 deputy ministers. While he's previously pledged to slim down the executive, that plan may be put on hold to accommodate new partners in the government, the people said.

The configuration of the new cabinet will likely "translate into broad policy continuity relative to the previous administration," Goldman Sachs International Inc. Economist Andrew Matheny said. It will possibly come with "better implementation/execution, given that the ANC will be subject to more checks and balances and greater accountability being in a coalition," he said.

FOREIGN MINISTER

Under South African law, Ramaphosa may appoint up to two people to cabinet who aren't members of parliament. One of those positions is expected to go to International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor, the people said. Pandor spearheaded Ramaphosa's foreign policy initiatives over the past six years, including the expansion of the BRICS economic bloc.

In addition to the DA, three other parties have signed a statement of intent to participate in the government of national unity, the ANC said in a statement on Monday. They are the Inkatha Freedom Party, the GOOD party, and the Patriotic Alliance.

The IFP may get a single cabinet post, while the smaller parties will be accommodated in various roles in parliamentary committees, the people said. The five parties that agreed to join the unity government account for 68% of the 400 seats in the Nat...

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) noted on Tuesday that in addition to ensuring accountability and being effective in the law-making process, Parliament must be careful not to frustrate reform through unnecessary delays, as South Africa ushers in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The business community congratulated President Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election as President, also welcoming the election of National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and her deputy Annelie Lotriet.

BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso wrote in her weekly letter that government must be ready to fully engage with lawmakers as part of the reform process.

She said it was time for the GNU to solve the issues holding back South Africa, provide jobs and improve living conditions for the vast majority of the population.

She added that Parliament would play a critical role in that process and should be an enabler of success and a check on power.

She highlighted that while policymakers would need to convince MPs of the merits of proposals, MPs must also engage and support positive reform.

"This is a strong signifier of continuity and ongoing progress in the reforms South Africa urgently needs to turn around the performance of the country's economy. This is important where legislation is needed to enable reform. The important reforms of the electricity sector, for example, have needed to be enabled by legislation. There are many other examples where Parliament will have to play its part in enabling the structural reforms that the economy clearly needs," she explained.

Organised business will be a willing partner to government, she said, in providing support to help it create a conducive environment for the economy to grow, while also contributing to Parliament by providing business input in consultation processes and directly into Parliamentary committees when needed.

BALANCE OF PROBABILITIES

Ahead of his inauguration on Wednesday, BLSA urged Ramaphosa to appoint a "capable and ethical Cabinet", stressing that the GNU must demonstrate policy clarity, regulatory certainty and the principles of democratic governance.

"We urgently need to turn around South Africa's economic performance to move our country toward greater prosperity and meet the needs of a growing population. The government must assure all its citizens, as well as local and international investors, that South Africa is open for business, underpinned by a robust constitutional democracy, well-managed and capable institutions and the rule of law," said Mavuso.

North West University Business School economist Professor Raymond Parsons said business should now respond in ways that help the GNU eventually succeed by achieving demonstrable results.

Parsons explained that unemployment, poverty and inequality needed to be tackled "with renewed vigour and commitment", saying with the formation of a GNU, the balance of probabilities has clearly shifted in favour of a future national agenda that will expedite growth-linked reforms.

He said the success of a GNU would ultimately be tested against the extent to which it had deliverables to show over time, including through cooperation with the private sector.

He believes that the bar of responsiveness and accountability has been significantly raised.

"A basis has now been laid for the GNU to facilitate the creation of a 'delivery state' to serve its citizenry and business at various levels. Ideology apart, the dominant message of the recent election has been an instruction to deliver," said Parsons.

In this case, the GNU provides a collective opportunity to expedite several existing growth-friendly "but half-forged policies" and projects to boost investor confidence and job-rich growth.

He said the GNU could also give further impetus to the existing key collaboration between government and business in high-priority areas such as energy security, logistics, and crime and corruption.

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) expressed its readiness to engage with the Nationa...

The first signs of the Government of National Unity are apparent in KwaZulu-Natal following the inauguration of the Inkatha Freedom Party's (IFP's) Thami Ntuli, as Premier on Tuesday, and his appointment of Democratic Alliance (DA) members in key portfolios.

Ntuli also moved the Community Safety portfolio to his office and gave the Provincial Department of Social Development to the National Freedom Party's (NFP's) Mbali Shinga.

The kingmaker in the province, the NFP, joined the Government of Provincial Unity in KZN, swelling the coalition ranks of the African National Congress (ANC), IFP and DA.

Ntuli appointed the DA's Francois Rodgers and Martin Meyer to respectively oversee the Provincial Treasury and the Public Works and Infrastructure portfolios.

The IFP's Musa Zondi takes over Economic Development and Environment Affairs; Thulasizwe Buthelezi heads up Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa oversees Agriculture and Rural Development; and Ntomuhle Khawula looks after Sports, Arts and Culture.

The ANC's Nomagugu Simelane stays on as MEC of Health, while Siboniso Duma takes the Department of Transport and Human Settlements and Siphosihle Hlomuka heads up the Education Department.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) highlighted on Friday that it has now entered national government - of which Cyril Ramaphosa is the preferred presidential candidate - as well as provincial government in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

This after the party, together with the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) reached agreement on the Statement of Intent for the formation of a government of national unity (GNU).

Following the May 29 elections, the ANC lost its outright majority, pushing the party to seek other political parties to form a national government with.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said the Statement of Intent that was signed on Friday emerged from two weeks of "intense but mature negotiations", and charted a new course for South Africa.

"In order to give effect to this vision, the Democratic Alliance will now step up to contribute our unique track record of good, clean and accountable governance to the national project," he highlighted.

Steenhuisen noted that in terms of the agreement, the DA would assume various leadership roles in the national Cabinet, the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces, and on parliamentary portfolio committees, broadly in proportion to the share of seats within the GNU.

He explained that the DA would no longer only be an opposition party at national level, noting that this same model of inclusive and broadly proportional representation in the executive and legislative positions will also apply in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

"This arrangement ensures that the voices of DA voters will now be heard in all the rooms where decisions are made about the future of our country," he said.

He stated that the DA's "signature contribution" to the GNU would come in the form of the party's "unique track record" of service delivery, job creation, and its commitment to clean and accountable governance.

"For the very first time, the DA will now be able to bring the same expertise that we honed in places like Cape Town, Midvaal, uMngeni, Kouga and the Western Cape, to serve all the people of South Africa," said Steenhuisen.

He highlighted that GNU negotiations will take place in phases, with phase one being the adoption of the Statement of Intent, which enables the GNU to elect presiding officers in Parliament, as well as a President.

He explained that the GNU's presidential candidate, being Ramaphosa, came from the largest party inside the grouping.

Steenhuisen announced that following Ramaphosa's election as the President on Friday he will then exercise his prerogative to appoint his new Cabinet from among the members of the GNU, in consultation with the leaders of its constituent parties.

"The next phase of the process will then commence in the form of a Lekgotla Strategy Session to develop a detailed policy agenda, including policy priorities for the GNU," he explained.

He noted that the two-week deadline imposed by the Constitution for the formation of a government was simply not sufficient in this new multiparty context.

He highlighted that although this marks a "hopeful and historic" moment for the country, it is important that parties were honest about the scale of the challenge that lay ahead.

He said problems would not be solved overnight.

"It will take years of sustained hard work, perseverance, maturity and cooperation across all sectors of society to get our country back on track. But the DA will be there with you, the people of South Africa, for every step along the way," he said.

South African stocks rallied and the rand gained, defying the global selloff in risk assets, as investors cheered an agreement between rival political parties to back the reelection of Cyril Ramaphosa as president.

The deal sets the stage for a broad government alliance led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the business-friendly Democratic Alliance (DA), following an election in which the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time since 1994.

"Such a coalition would be market-friendly and rand-positive," said Yeon Jin Kim, an emerging-market analyst at Credit Agricole, in a note to clients. "In the medium term, we believe there could be more upside for the rand, provided key reforms are announced and implemented."

The FTSE JSE Africa All Share Index climbed as much as 1.6%, the most in seven weeks, before paring the advance. A gauge of banking stocks rallied the most in almost four years to a record high.

The rand gained 0.5% to 18.3513 per dollar as of 1:02 pm in Johannesburg, the only emerging-market currency to rise on the day among 24 monitored by Bloomberg. The rand is up 3% this week compared with a 0.4% decline for the MSCI EM Currency Index.

The ANC, which has held power since apartheid ended in 1994, invited all the country's main parties to join a so-called government of national unity. Former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MKP, and the Economic Freedom Fighters, - both of which favour land expropriation and the nationalization of mines and banks - declined to participate.

The African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have pledged to cooperate through a voluntary Government of National Unity (GNU) through the signing of a Statement of Intent.

On behalf of their respective parties, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula and DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille signed the document which aims to foster trust between the electorate and the parties that will make up the GNU, including the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

The document was signed on Friday, as the first sitting of the National Assembly got underway and members of the National Assembly were sworn in.

The parties agreed to an ANC State President and Speaker, and a DA Deputy Speaker.

"The parties to this Statement of Intent agree that when committees of Parliament are constituted, the spirit of a Parliament of National Unity shall be implemented to enable parties that are part of the GNU to be accorded leadership positions of some committees. In this regard the parties agree that the IFP shall be elected to the position of Chair of Chairs," the document revealed.

The Statement of Intent outlines focus priorities for the seventh administration, which includes rapid economic growth, job creation, land reform, infrastructure development, fiscal sustainability and macro-economic management.

The document also lays out the need to deal with poverty, spatial inequalities, food security and improving basic services.

Parties pledged to stabilise local government and review the role of traditional leadership in the governance framework.

Also discussed was the need for a corrupt-free public service and the restructuring of State-owned entities.

"The parties to this GNU Statement of Intent shall, following the formation of the GNU, hold a Lekgotla (Strategy Session) to develop an agreed policy agenda, which shall include policy priorities for the GNU," the document read.

Further, it stressed the need for GNU parties to work together in "good faith" and constitute a government that "reflects genuine inclusiveness of political parties that are party to this Statement of Intent and are represented in the National Assembly."

The document outlines that the President will consult with the leaders of the GNU parties on appointments of Members of the Executive.

"The GNU shall take decisions in accordance with the established practice of consensus. Where no consensus is possible, the principle of sufficient consensus shall apply. Sufficient consensus exists when all parties have had the opportunity to express their views; despite reasonable attempts to resolve disagreements, and find common ground, there is no general consensus; parties to the GNU representing 60% of seats in the National Assembly agree; and any party that disagrees has been able to formally record their objections," the document said.

GNU parties also agreed to the establishment of dispute resolution, or deadlock-breaking mechanisms, in instances where there is no consensus.

In attempting to ensure that provincial governments are stable, the GNU Statement of Intent and Modalities may be used to guide such approaches.

A GNU Consultations Council will be formed by the parties to monitor the progress on the GNU's minimum programme.

GNU parties will also deliberate if other parties show interest in becoming part of the GNU.