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Ramaphosa to hold bilateral talks with UAE President

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week hold bilateral talks with President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) opening ceremony on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa arrived in the UAE on Monday, with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau; and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi.

Spokesperson to the President, Vincent Magwenya, said the ADSW 2026, held under the theme 'Nexus of Next: All Systems Go', will see the global sustainability community undertake dialogues to foster cross-sector collaboration and deliver solutions to advance sustainable development worldwide.

He said Ramaphosa will attend the opening ceremony as well as the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, which celebrates 11 winners driving real-world impact in health, food, energy, water, climate action and global high schools.

Ramaphosa is also scheduled to participate in the Heads of State Panel discussion on the topic: "A vision for Global Energy".

"In addition, he will also participate in a high-level session titled: Next Leap: Global South Infrastructure, which will focus on accelerating bankable, scalable infrastructure investment across the Global South," said Magwenya.

South Africa maintains cordial bilateral relations with the UAE, with regular high-level visits and economic cooperation.

Magwenya said the UAE is a major investor in the South African economy across transport, logistics and renewable energy.

He noted that in advancing discussion on economic transformation, ethical governance, and youth empowerment, Ramaphosa will address the Youth 4 Sustainability Forum and Hub, under the theme Leading the Just Transition: Youth, Skills, and Inclusive Growth.

During his visit, Ramaphosa will also engage with captains of the industry and business leaders to promote investment and strengthen collaboration.

South Africa reviews prime rate used to price R6.2tr of credit

South Africa is reviewing the main reference rate commercial banks use to price trillions of rands of loans to clients.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is working on the prime lending rate, it said by email. The measure has been fixed at 350 basis points above the country's monetary policy rate since 2001. There are no timelines yet, the central bank said in response to questions.

Lenders typically price loans using the prime rate as a reference, with premiums or discounts to the measure depending on the cost of funding, risk appetite and the creditworthiness of clients. Gross loans and advances extended by banks amounted to R6.2-trillion in October, central bank data shows.

"The prime rate is a bizarre hangover from history that the Reserve Bank has historically refused to touch, overplaying the costs to banks and others to change contracts, but seems to have now seen the light," said Peter Attard Montalto, managing director at advisory firm Krutham. "It is long overdue to die — even if the positive impact is slight, it's a free lunch."

Potential reforms could include abolishing the reference rate or adjusting the spread between the monetary policy and prime rates. Any changes will prompt lenders to revise existing financial contracts such as mortgages, overdrafts, vehicle-finance agreements and credit-card facilities, and may affect bank income.

PREVIOUS REVIEW A previous review of the prime rate by the central bank and Banking Association of South Africa almost two decades ago affirmed the spread over the key policy rate, concluding its size was "immaterial" as a determinant of lending rates. Over the long term, narrowing the margin would make little difference to the interest rates clients pay on debt as loans would continue be priced according to their degree of risk, according to that study.

However, over the short term, narrowing the gap between the monetary policy and prime rates would reduce consumer debt-service costs, ease financing constraints and improve access to loans for businesses, said Sanisha Packirisamy, chief economist at Momentum Investments.

"The challenge will be preserving bank profitability and broader financial stability to ensure credit provision into the economy for economic growth," she said.

The central bank generally seeks input from market practitioners and publishes clear guidelines when reforming rates. It set aside about four years for the introduction of the South African rand overnight index average, or Zaronia — a new reference rate for short-term financial contracts such as derivatives — that will replace the Johannesburg interbank average rate, or Jibar, on Dec. 31.

Major water infrastructure commissioned to secure supply for Rustenburg, Thabazimbi

Critical upgraded water infrastructure has been commissioned to significantly improve water security for the residents of the Rustenburg local municipality, in the North West, and the Thabazimbi local municipality, in Limpopo.

The commissioning includes the upgraded Vaalkop Water Treatment Works raw water pump station and the associated bulk water pipeline, responding to growing water demand and ensuring long-term water security in the two provinces.

The Vaalkop pump station upgrade, from a capacity of 240 megalitres a day (Mℓ)/day) to 360 Mℓ/day, was implemented by Magalies Water from February 2023 and completed in November 2025.

The pump station, directly abstracting water from Vaalkop dam, has been equipped with ten pump sets designed to efficiently supply raw water to the water treatment works, strengthening operational reliability, improving water management and reducing water losses.

The upgraded bulk water supply scheme, which was initiated in response to increasing water demand from the rural communities of Bethanie, Modikoe and Berseba within the Rustenburg local municipality, has also been commissioned.

Implemented by Magalies Water in partnership with Glencore Rhovan PSV mine, the project involved the construction and installation of a 23.4 km bulk potable water pipeline, comprising 560 mm and 400 mm diameter pipes with associated valves.

The pipeline runs from the Kortbegrip reservoir to the Bethanie and Modikoe reservoirs.

The new pipeline replaces the ageing asbestos fibre-cement pipeline that had reached the end of its operational life and was prone to frequent bursts.

The upgraded infrastructure increases bulk water supply capacity to meet the current demand of 7.05 Mℓ/day and the future demand of a projected 12.60 Mℓ/day.

The project will also enable additional water volumes to supply Makolokwe Village, where access to water remains critically low. Currently, the village relies on boreholes that are insufficient to meet the growing needs of the community.

The second phase of the project, the bulk pipeline between Bethanie and Makolokwe Village, is scheduled to start in March 2026 and will include the construction of a booster pumpstation at the Bethanie reservoir.

The project, once completed, will provide a reliable water supply to a combined population of about 144 133 residents, including households, schools, clinics, businesses and community institutions.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina commended the public-private partnership between Rustenburg local municipality and Glencore Rhovan PSV Mine, noting its positive contribution to accelerating service delivery in Bethanie and Modikoe villages.

"The benefits of this investment are clear and far-reaching. For households, it means a more reliable water supply and greater resilience during peak demand periods. For local businesses, industries and emerging enterprises, it provides the certainty needed to operate efficiently, expand production and create jobs. For municipalities, it strengthens the backbone of service delivery and long-term development planning," said Majodina.

Majodina further called on communities to protect the newly commissioned infrastructure from vandalism and sabotage, and strongly condemned individuals and syndicates who deliberately damage water infrastructure to sustain illegal water trading activities.

"These projects must be protected, and I want to speak clearly and firmly today: water infrastructure is not a playground for criminals. The vandalism of pipelines, theft of equipment and manipulation of water systems by so-called water mafias is a direct attack on the dignity and well-being of our people. It deprives families of water, disrupts livelihoods and undermines development.

"This government will not tolerate water mafias. Those who vandalise, steal or illegally profit from water infrastructure are stealing from children, the elder...

Goldman Sachs expects South Africa's rand to extend gains as conditions improve

The rand may clock another year of gains supported by easing interest rates, with firmer public finances also boosting South Africa's domestic economy, Goldman Sachs said in a research note.

The currency ended 2025 nearly 13% stronger against the US dollar, marking its biggest annual gain in 16 years as the greenback weakened broadly.

Strength this year could come from a scenario of steady global growth and gradual US interest rate cuts.

The bank said South Africa's risk-sensitive currency also stands to benefit from its exposure to precious metal prices and comparatively lower near-term political risk than peers facing elections in 2026.

Investors are increasingly rotating towards emerging markets, where domestic demand is recovering and monetary policy is becoming less restrictive, the note said.

BANKS, RETAILERS TO BENEFIT FROM LOWER RATES South Africa is grouped alongside India and Brazil as markets where easing inflation and lower borrowing costs could bolster interest-rate-sensitive assets.

In equities, Goldman expects the country's banks and retailers to benefit from lower interest rates and an improvement in credit conditions while mining stocks take advantage of firmer gold prices.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index last traded down 0.8%, with the nation's benchmark 2035 government bond weakening by 8 basis points to 8.37% on Thursday.

The rand traded around 16.50 against the dollar, on the backfoot for much of the day as domestic investors assessed dour manufacturing sector releases.

A survey showed that South Africa's manufacturing sentiment fell in December to its lowest level for 2025.

A statistics agency report published two hours later, pointed to a contraction of 1.0% in manufacturing output for November, defying analysts' expectations of a 0.2% increase.

DA hits back at 'Brics naval exercises', warns GNU being undermined

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed concerns that South Africa is deepening ties with Russia and Iran, following recent naval exercises involving Brics+ countries, in Cape Town.

According to the Department of Defence (DoD), the drill forms part of a China-led joint, inter-agency, inter-departmental, multinational exercise that is being hosted in South Africa between January 9 and 16, under the theme 'Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities'.

"Exercise Will For Peace 2026 brings together navies from Brics Plus countries for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials… This theme reflects the collective commitment of all participating navies to safeguard maritime trade routes, enhance shared operational procedures and deepen cooperation in support of peaceful maritime security initiatives," the DoD said.

However, the DA is less than convinced that they are multinational exercises, calling it "deliberately misleading" and pointing out that Brics is not a military alliance.

DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said the bloc has no defence role or shared military plans to warrant such exercises.

"Calling these drills 'Brics cooperation' is a political trick to soften what is really happening: government is choosing closer military ties with rogue and sanctioned states such as Russia and Iran. That is not multilateralism. It is selective alignment. The proof is simple. Two founding Brics members, India and Brazil, have again stayed away. They did not take part in MOSI I, MOSI II or Exercise Will for Peace. That tells us this is not a Brics exercise. It is a narrow political choice being labelled as something broader," he warned.

South Africa's stance of non-alliance, he said, is being damaged through what the party says is political theatre.

Further, Hattingh claimed that the DoD was undermining the Government of National Unity's (GNU's) Statement of Intent, which touts non-aligned foreign policy, by participating in military exercise with State such as Russia and Iran.

The DA further warned that trade could be compromised.

"South Africa has the right to choose its partners. But the ANC [African National Congress] does not have the right to unilaterally make these choices and then hide those choices behind false labels and diplomatic spin. The Democratic Alliance will not allow the ANC to keep hiding behind the language of "non-alignment" while quietly choosing sides. It violates the spirit and working of the GNU statement of intent, undermines South Africa's credibility on the international stage, and sends the wrong diplomatic signals to all our major trading partners," Hattingh stated.

NGO criticises Trump for withdrawing from international bodies

Renewable energy movement 350.org has condemned US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other international bodies, describing the move as a "desperate attempt" to hold to fossil fuels.

Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from 66 international organisations, including the UNFCCC, the 1992 treaty that underpins all global climate cooperation, and the global scientific authority Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Trump claimed that these organisations promote "radical climate policies" and global governance that "no longer serve American interests."

350.org MD for campaigns and networks Savio Carvalho said the withdrawal won't stop countries from demanding that the US, the world's largest historical emitter, cut its emissions and support climate-vulnerable nations.

"It won't stop the more than 80 countries who showed us at COP30 that they are determined to chart a roadmap for a fossil-free future. President Trump cannot stop the global momentum towards clean energy and climate justice – but he is ensuring that the US loses out on billions in global climate investments and surrenders its standing as a global leader, as more businesses, governments, and frontline communities build the clean energy economy of the future," Carvalho said.

350.org program manager Pacific & Caribbean Fenton Lutunatabua stressed that global climate cooperation should not "be at the mercy" of the US government's decisions.

Lutunatabua said despite rich nations stalling action, the Pacific has consistently championed an end to climate-destroying fossil fuels, noting the climate ruling at the International Court of Justice.

"Now is not the time other high-polluting nations to be shirking their climate responsibilities, like the US. While those in power seek to tear the global community apart, it is more important than ever that we remain united in our fight to secure a safe and liveable future for our children," he added.

350.org Japan campaigner Masayoshi Iyoda urged his own government to exert diplomatic efforts to pressure Trump to remain part of the global climate regime.

"This should not be used as an excuse for Japan's own inaction on climate. We call on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to clearly state that Japan remains committed to the UNFCCC process and will accelerate a fast and fair transition away from fossil fuels," he said.

Gauteng govt urges matriculants to use digital platform to access results

The Gauteng Provincial Government on Thursday suggested that Matriculants make use of its Gauteng Matric Results Online System to access their 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results.

The results will be released on January 13, and will also be made available to accredited newspapers for publication with only examination numbers and results publicised.

Gauteng MEC for the Department of e-Government Bonginkosi Dhlamini said the online system ensures that learners can view their results quickly, securely, and conveniently as soon as they are officially released.

"This digital platform ensures that matriculants can access their results easily and securely, while maintaining the privacy they deserve as they reflect on their achievements and prepare to take their next steps after completing school.

"Matriculants can check their results instantly on their smartphones, tablets, or other digital devices, allowing them to access their results in a private and supportive environment, at a time and place that suits them," he explained.

Dhlamini highlighted that the system empowers learners by ensuring that critical academic information is available directly to them securely.

To access the 2025 matric results, visit https://results.gauteng.gov.za/ enter the examination number, and click search.

South Africa hosts Brics naval exercise, risks renewed US ire

Warships from some members of the Brics group of developing nations gathered in Cape Town waters for a naval exercise that places host South Africa at risk of renewed US ire.

China will lead the Will for Peace 2026 drill, which runs from January 9 to January 16 and will showcase the participants' collective commitment to safeguard maritime trade routs "and deepen cooperation in support of peaceful maritime security," the South African National Defence Force said in a statement. It didn't specify which other countries will be participating, with a media conference scheduled for Friday.

A Chinese destroyer docked in the Simon's Town naval base on Wednesday, while pictures on social media this week showed a Russian frigate and a supply vessel making their way down Africa's west coast toward the harbour. The Johannesburg-based Rapport newspaper last month cited an Iranian admiral as saying the Islamic Republic had dispatched a fleet to take part in the exercise, but its vessels haven't been sighted.

South Africa has been at loggerheads with the US since President Donald Trump returned to the White House almost a year ago. Its ties to Iran are among the issues that have elicited anger in Washington and the drill is likely to ignite further tension.

Pretoria drew criticism from the US and the European Union when it last hosted a Brics naval exercise in 2023 that coincided with the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's second-biggest political party said the inclusion of Russia and Iran in the drill would undermine the government's claims that it was non-aligned, and noted that it had cancelled joint military exercises with the US.

"South Africa's defence and foreign policy must be transparent, constitutional, and principled, and certainly not be quietly reshaped through military exercises that contradict our stated neutrality and damage our standing in the world," said Chris Hattingh, the DA's spokesperson on defence.

Chrispin Phiri, a spokesperson for South Africa's foreign ministry, declined to comment and referred queries to the defence force.

Russia recruited South Africans for its war using a gaming app

Russia targeted South African video gamers as part of a recruitment drive for its war in Ukraine, according to documents involving two men who left to fight.

The men in their 20s left South Africa in July last year after talking about joining the Russian military to a gamer over an app called Discord, based on email exchanges with diplomats by a friend seeking information on their whereabouts and wellbeing.

The South Africans regularly used Discord while playing the military game Arma 3, a person familiar with how they were recruited said, asking not to be identified. Within weeks of signing a military contract near St. Petersburg, a medical certificate showed one of them was killed fighting in Ukraine, according to the person.

The recruitment of soldiers for Russia has caused a scandal in South Africa in recent weeks. Fighting for or assisting the military of a foreign country has been illegal in the country since 1998.

On November 20, Bloomberg reported that a daughter of former President Jacob Zuma was involved in recruiting men from Botswana and South Africa for Russian military service. They had allegedly been told they would be going on a bodyguard training course.

In late November, a female South African state radio presenter was arrested together with four men on allegations she was recruiting them for the Russian military. They have since been charged with breaking the law, released on bail and will next appear in court on February 10. They have made no public statements.

Consulate Visit

The two gamers joined the war in Ukraine in 2024. After discussions with a person who identified themselves on the Discord app as @Dash, the South Africans met up in Cape Town before visiting the Russian consulate, according to emails and the person familiar with what happened. Discord has been restricted in Russia since October 2024.

The two left for Russia via the United Arab Emirates on July 29. After arriving in Russia, they met @Dash and signed one-year military contracts in early September, the person familiar with the situation said.

The South African presidency and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation didn't respond to questions about the recruitment and the potential involvement of the Russian consulate.

The Russian embassy and the Russian consulate in Cape Town didn't respond to emailed requests for comment. Repeated calls to the Cape Town consulate were not answered. The press service for Discord didn't respond to emailed requests for comment.

After a few weeks of basic training, one of the men went to the front line in Ukraine where he served as a marksman's assistant to the grenade launcher, a copy of his contract showed, according to the person familiar with the situation. He was last in contact with his family on October 6 and his friend told them on December 17 he had been killed in action. The other man's whereabouts are unknown.

A medical certificate dated January 10 of last year that was obtained by his family showed that he had died in active service on October 23, 2024, in Verkhnekamenskoye, a location in Ukraine's Luhansk region, the person said.

In addition to what they saw as lucrative military contracts, the two South Africans were told they could potentially get Russian citizenship and further their education if they served in the military, the person said.

Hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leading to a manpower shortage.

Kenya's foreign minister said in November as many as 200 of the country's citizens were fighting for Russia and there have been reports of Russia recruiting soldiers in nations such as Cameroon and Burkina Faso. None of those have been through the use of a gaming communications app.

Eskom reports no new breaches in online vending system

State-owned power utility Eskom says there are no new issues regarding the Online Vending System (OVS) breach, which had first been disclosed during its financial results briefing in December 2024.

Further, as part of its turnaround strategy, Eskom says it remains committed to being transparent with the South African public.

As reported in December 2024, the OVS had been hacked and exploited to generate and distribute fraudulent prepaid electricity tokens, which revealed critical vulnerabilities in the physical and cybersecurity components of the utility's prepaid electricity infrastructure.

To combat this, and in a repetition of its statement in September 2025, Eskom says it has implemented several key actions as part of a multi-layered approach to strengthen physical security, cyber-resilience and operational controls.

Eskom has deployed tighter physical access controls to secure vending environments and enhanced cybersecurity tools and monitoring to prevent unauthorised access.

Additionally, it has put in place stronger user-access controls with weekly dashboards flagging irregularities, and has deployed detection tools to highlight risk areas and enable early intervention.

It also rolled out smart meters and reconciliation methods to validate fraud levels monthly and has accelerated its move to secure a new, secure vending platform to replace the current OVS.

The utility also expanded investigative measures in collaboration with law enforcement that have been concluded for some of the implicated employees, and are under way for all implicated employees, with the internal process resulting in their dismissal, it added.

Certain elements have been referred to the authorities, and the company will cooperate fully, it said in the September 2025 statement and in the January 7 statement.