Government will play a more direct role in the economy to drive transformation. That's the key message from President Jacob Zuma during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament last night. The president has committed government to changing the fundamental structure of the country's economic patterns and ownership announcing several measures and legislation in that regard. Ntebo Mokobo has more.

SONA 2017 has come and gone, and now it is time for the post mortem. What is your assessment of the events of last night?
As expected, there was much focus on the process of Radical Economic Transformation. What did you make of the proposals put forward?
Ownership of JSE listed companies once again came under the spotlight in Zuma's address last night - he said that only 10% of the Top 100 companies on the JSE are directly owned by black South Africans. Is that a fair reflection?

OUTRO: That was Nerina Visser, Strategist & Advisor at ETF

President Jacob Zuma says radical economic transformation is among urgent tasks that need to be done and achieved. Zuma addressed thousands of supporters at a gathering organised by the ANC at Cape Town Grand parade known as the "people's assembly". Chris Mabuya reports....

The Economic Freedom Fighters members were once again carried out of the National Assembly by security officers last night. This is after the party disrupted the State of the Nation Address by more than an hour. They were demanding that President Jacob Zuma not be allowed to address the house after the Constitutional Court had found that the had breached his oath of office Joseph Mosia reports...

The management of Walter Sisulu University of technology has ordered a complete shut- down of the university's Mthatha campus in the Eastern Cape. This comes after an admissions building was set alight, allegedly by protesting students. Registration and other administrative processes came to an abrupt halt on Tuesday when students protested over registration issues. Mbasa Khwaza reports

1. Asian shares were mixed on Thursday following a mild close in U.S. markets and with gold prices at three-month highs
2. U.S. President Donald Trump has broken the ice with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a letter that said he looked forward to working with him to develop constructive relations, although the pair haven't spoken directly since Trump took office
3. African mining hopes are distant from uncertain reality

OUTRO: That was Market Analyst, Clive Ramathibela

(Jürgen/Jhb/econ/9/2/2017)

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a national minimum wage agreement of R20 an hour. The agreement will come into effect on May 2018. Ramaphosa made this announcement in Parliament yesterday. The Deputy President says that all stakeholders have signed the agreement except Cosatu... Meanwhile, the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa, NUMSA, has expressed its disgust at the signing of this hourly rate deal. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the National Spokesperson for the Union, Phakamile Hlubi

The Economic Freedom Fighters says President Jacob Zuma should not deliver the State of the Nation Address in Parliament today. Zalene Merrington reports...

President Jacob Zuma says he's looking forward to delivering his tenth State of The Nation Address in Parliament later today. The president hosted a high tea for the special guests he has invited at his official residence in Genadendal for a high tea. Among the invited guests were struggle veterans, people who have made a difference in their communities, and young leaders. President Zuma also handed over an award to Miriam Makeba posthumously conferred to her by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. Presidential Correspondent Ntebo Mokobo reports

President Jacob Zuma is expected to address an ANC rally at the Grand Parade in Cape Town shortly after delivering his State of the Nation Address in parliament. Thousands of party supporters are expected to gather in the afternoon in anticipation of Zuma's address during SONA. The rally is the first to run parallel to SONA. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to ANC national spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa