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‘South Africans need to reassess their finances to prevent sinking deeper into debt’
11 July 2020, 6:03 PM

Savings expert and CEO of the SA Savings Institute, Gerald Mwandiambira, says South Africans need to reassess their finances in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to prevent sinking deeper into debt.

As many continue to feel the economic impact, the lockdown has seen some businesses closing their doors or retrenching staff.

In the video below, Economist Mike Schussler talks about the looming retrenchments in SA:

Many South Africans have not worked since March when the lockdown began, resulting in them not being able to make their bond, vehicle or rent payments.

Mwandiambira explains how people can take control of their financial fate.

“Be in control of your fate, of what you eat, buy in bulk with families or friends. If you are renting a property at this time you know you’re losing an income, consider moving back home. If you own your home, carry on paying your bond as though it was before March. You are going to save between five and eight years. If you can’t do that, you can also talk to your bank.”

‘Economy remains uncertain’

Economist Dawie Roodt at the beginning of July warned that the South African economy will remain uncertain for the foreseeable future.

The economy was already frail before COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa in March, with January-March being the third consecutive quarter of contraction and following a 1.4% decline in GDP in October-December.

Roodt blamed government for not putting relevant policies in place.

“The private sector has been affected by things such as the lockdown and a lack of electricity and a very inefficient state. Yes, there’s more than one player in the economy, but I have very little doubt that if they want to blame somebody for the problems that we are experiencing, it must be government for the wrong policies,” he explained.

In the video below, Dawie Roodt warns that the economy will remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. 

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Mkhize pays tribute to Ricardo Mthembu
11 July 2020, 6:01 PM

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says he learned with shock and sadness about the passing of ANC KwaZulu-Natal Spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu.

In his tribute, Dr Mkhize described Mthembu as a true soldier.

KZN ANC confirmed on Wednesday Mthembu died of COVID-19 related complications. He died on Wednesday at a Durban hospital. He was laid to rest on Saturday.

The minister said in a statement that Mthembu’s passing has robbed the organistion of one of its finest cadres.

“His passing robs us of one of the finest cadres grown, developed and steeped in the rich teachings and traditions of our liberation movement. He was a dedicated soldier for freedom and democracy who spent his life fighting for the betterment of our people.”

Dr Mkhize also described Mthembu as a dedicated soldier for freedom and democracy who spent his life fighting for the betterment of South Africans. He says Mthembu earned the trust of the ANC and community members alike through service with distinction, at all levels of the structures of the ruling party.

Dr Mkhize passed his condolences to Mthembu’s friends and families.

“May it comfort the family to know that there are masses out there who share in the grief of their loss. That is so because Comrade Ricardo’s warmth and love for people have created a wider network of friends, comrades and colleagues who count themselves as part of his family. Siyadabuka! Silahlekelwe sonke. Siyiqiniso isisho esithi: isitsha esihle kasidleli. Sithi Ndlelanhle, Mvelase!”

Below is the full statement by Dr Zweli Mkhize on the passing of Ricardo Mthembu. 

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COPE slams Eskom for latest load shedding
11 July 2020, 4:46 PM

The Congress of the People (COPE) has slammed Eskom’s latest round of nationwide load shedding. The power utility has announced that it will continue to implement Stage 2 load shedding on Saturday due to increased demand for electricity during cold spell.

Eskom says it also needs to compensate for an earlier breakdown of a number of its power units.

In the video below, Eskom announces Stage 2 load shedding:

COPE National Spokesperson Dennis Bloem says the situation is unacceptable.

“Load shedding on its own is very damaging to the economy. Many workers have already lost their jobs because of the lockdown; now the country is faced with load shedding. The ANC government must take full responsibility for the collapse of Eskom. The country can’t afford load shedding at this critical time of COVID-19 where health facilities cannot operate without electricity.”

‘Another death blow’

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday said the Eskom’s return to load shedding is another death blow to the country’s hemorrhaging economy.

The DA says apart from the ANC’s economic lockdown, the economy now also have to weather the storm of rolling blackouts. It says businesses have just begun to pick up the pieces after the lockdown when they are being dealt yet another blow.

The power utility said it’s working tirelessly to remedy the situation.

“Eskom is working hard to return as many of these generation units to service. While five generation units were taken off the grid last night and this morning, a breakdown at the Matimba Power Station has today resulted in the need for load shedding,” Eskom Spokesperson, Sikhonathi Mantshantsha said.

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Manthata was an epitome of integrity and dedication: Bishop Mpumlwana
11 July 2020, 4:22 PM

South African Council of Churches General Secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana has described struggle stalwart Tom Manthata as the epitome of integrity and dedication.

Manthata died of COVID-19 related complications at the age of 81 at the One Military Hospital outside Pretoria on Friday night.

He is most prominently remembered as one of the United Democratic Front leaders that were convicted in the long-running 1985 Delmas Treason Trial together with Mosiuoa Lekota, Reverend Frank Chikane and Popo Molefe.

He served as a leader of the South African Student’s Association, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the South African Human Rights Commission.

“His commitment was not partisan. It was about justice. So it did not matter to him whether it was in the BCP, the ANC or in the PAC; his commitment was to justice for all South Africans. I think that is what set him apart from many because a lot of us think that we can only dedicate ourselves according to our tribes. Of course, many will remember him for the trial, but we would like to remember him a lot more as somebody for he was about everybody else finding their place under the sun.”

Tributes continue to pour in for the late struggle veteran.

Manthata was born in November 29, 1939 in Soekmekaar in then Northern Transvaal, now Limpopo.

In 1967, he began teaching at Sekano Ntoane High School in Soweto, where he became known as a rigorous, critical teacher who encouraged political debates among his students, including Cyril Ramaphosa and Amos Masondo.

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Tshwane residents frustrated by rotational load shedding
11 July 2020, 3:43 PM

Residents of the City of Tshwane have experienced load shedding on a rotational basis. On Saturday morning, areas in Mamelodi such as Buffer Zone, S&S, Khutsong, Tsakani, White City and Khalambazo were affected.

Power utility, Eskom earlier announced that it would continue load-shedding until Saturday evening.

Residents in the City have expressed frustration about power outage as a result of the ongoing load shedding as implemented by Eskom.

Small business owner, Violet Maoka, says load shedding is an inconvenience. Maoka says when there is a power outage, she is unable to run her business.

“I feel bad about load shedding because I earn my living through baking. So, in the morning, when I am supposed to bake … and I bake fresh cakes every morning. There are no cakes, because there is no electricity.”

Some residents say they keep warm by making fires, staying indoors and wearing warm clothes.

“There’s no way to keep warm. There’s only one way actually. It is to stay in bed which is an inconvenience because staying in bed the whole day, your life comes to a standstill,” one resident said.

Jackey Molebali is a job seeker. He says a number of companies he had approached had cited load shedding as a reason for experiencing losses.

“Load shedding makes our lives miserable because we can’t find work. When we are looking for work, they tell us that they can’t hire us because of this load shedding and stuff. So it’s a problem.”

According to a schedule the City of Tshwane published on its website, all its regions are going to be affected by load shedding albeit at different times. This will happen throughout the weekend.

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