For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa says government cannot fix South Africa's economy on its own, EFF MPs to face Parliament conduct committee after SoNA disruptio and, government to invest R1.4 billion to modernise Prasa

Ramaphosa says government cannot fix South Africa's economy on its own

President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted in last night’s State of the Nation Address that government will not be able to fix South Africa's economic woes on its own.   

This comes as the country faces possible downgrades due to low economic growth, a growing debt burden and upward revision of the fiscal deficit.

As part of the plan to stablise energy generation, Ramaphosa announced that  government would start the procurement of emergency power from projects that could deliver electricity into the grid within three to 12 months from approval.

He added that municipalities would be able to procure their own power from independent power producers.

EFF MPs to face Parliament conduct committee after SoNA disruptio

Economic Freedom Fighters MPs' conduct during last night’s State of the Nation Address will land them a date with Parliament's Powers and Privileges Committee.

However, by leaving on their own accord rather than "with the assistance" of the parliamentary chamber support services, the EFF MPs sidestepped an immediate suspension which would have seen them miss next week's debate on President Cyril Ramaphosa's speech.

Several EFF MPs, including leader Julius Malema, raised several points of order – first insisting that former deputy president and last apartheid-era president FW de Klerk leave the public gallery, and then insisting that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan be fired.

After National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise suspended proceedings, she allowed Malema a short speech, after which he and his colleagues left the chamber, with some of the EFF MPs throwing water bottles at other MPs.

Government to invest R1.4 billion to modernise Prasa

South Africa's long-suffering train commuters can soon look forward to a smooth ride.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government would boost the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa's rail network by R1.4-billion to ensure the rail network was modernised. 

He added the Central line in the Western Cape and Mabopane line in Pretoria were now closed for essential refurbishment and upgrades.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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