Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• US private sector payrolls rise in December 

• 2. Samsung expects to post a surge in earnings 
• 3. Markets

 

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

8 January 2026

1.    Ethiopia- Russia- Palestine- Egypt-Syria

Orthodox Christians Mark Christmas On January 7 Across the World

Orthodox Christians in countries stretching from Ethiopia to Russia are celebrating Christmas today, honouring the birth of Jesus Christ with prayer, worship, and acts of compassion.

For millions of believers, January 7--rather than December 25, marks the most significant day of the Christmas season.

2.    China – Ethiopia- Somalia- Tanzania- Lesotho 

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Ethiopia, Africa's fastest growing large economy; Somalia, a Horn of Africa state offering access to key global shipping lanes; Tanzania, a logistics hub linking minerals rich central Africa to the Indian Ocean; and Lesotho, a small southern African economy squeezed by U.S. trade measures. 

His trip this year runs until January 12.

- China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Wednesday, focusing on strategic trade access across eastern and southern Africa as Beijing seeks to secure key shipping routes and resource supply lines.

3.    Nigeria – Venezuela 

Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Foreign Policy Experts Slam Us Strike, Maduro's Capture

AS the condemnation over the recent US invasion of Venezuela and capture of its President, Nicholas Maduro, continues to grow, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, and other foreign policy experts in Nigeria have taken a swipe at President Donald Trump, saying his action raised concern about the growing trend of imperialism by global superpowers and global stability.

 

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 8 January 1912, when the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), later known as the African National Congress (ANC), was founded. As SANNC grew as a political organisation and gradually expanded its inclusivity, it was renamed as the ANC in 1923

The organisation decided to release its first statement since its exile on the 8th January, the date of its formation. On January 8, 1972, the ANC delivered a statement outlining its programme for the year. This was repeated on the same date in 1979, and later became an ANC tradition, known as the January 8th statement.

 

China's massive military parade through central Beijing was a powerful demonstration of force and technological ambition, showcasing the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) newest advancements in missile systems, drones, and directed energy weapons.

Guest: Professor Abel Esterhuyse is a member of the Department of Strategic Studies in the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University 

 

 

• Legal battles continue to delay Pepkor’s bid to acquire Shoprite’s furniture business 

• 2. Valterra has a record year following Anglo demerger
• 3. Markets

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) has voiced disappointment over the tourism sector’s performance during the 2025/26 festive season, describing it as uneven and below expectations across much of the country. 

Guest: Brett Tungay: National Chairperson , Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa)  

 

 

As nearly one million learners who wrote the 2025 Grade 12 examinations await the release of their results, uncertainty remains over whether matric results will be published in newspapers this year. A legal challenge by the Information Regulator (IR) against the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has reignited a long-running debate over privacy, access to information and the interpretation of South Africa’s data protection laws.  

Guest: Terence Khala: Media Liaison Officer for the Department of Basic Education 

High-density suburbs, particularly in Ekurhuleni and parts of Johannesburg, are placing increasing strain on the Gauteng Department of Education as it works to finalise placements for Grade 1 and Grade 8 pupils ahead of the new school year. With schools set to open next week, thousands of learners are still awaiting placement, highlighting ongoing capacity and infrastructure challenges in rapidly growing urban areas.  

Guest: Steve Mabona: Spokesperson, Gauteng Department of Education 

 

 

ANC national chairperson and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has sparked public debate after suggesting that unemployment in South Africa is partly driven by citizens becoming overly dependent on the state.   

Guest: Duma Gqubule: Economist & Research associate at the Social Policy Initiative 

 

The ANC will mark its 114th anniversary with its annual January 8 Statement at Moruleng Stadium in the North West next Saturday. Addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the event comes at a critical moment for the party following significant electoral losses in 2024.

Guest: Samkele Maseko: Senior Political Reporter, SABC 

 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• Business activity slips in December 
• 2. Sentiment in the construction sector hits an 11 year high
• 3. Markets