August 07, 2024.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lynne Davies.

Making headlines:

South Africa growth at risk without infrastructure fix, S&P says

EFF condemns ‘misuse’ of public funds on Presidential imbizos

And, US to give $414-million in humanitarian aid for Congo

South Africa growth at risk without infrastructure fix, S&P says

South Africa will need to urgently address crippling infrastructure bottlenecks or risk derailing a budding economic recovery, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

These challenges have left Africa’s most industrialised economy struggling to sustain growth for the last decade.

Thea Fourie, Director for Sub-Saharan Africa Economics and Risk at S&P Global, warned that without urgent action, the country risks falling further behind.

Addressing infrastructure bottlenecks in energy, ports, rail, and water is crucial for overcoming institutional weakness and driving growth.

While the May elections brought a flicker of hope, providing a “window of opportunity,” success in making reforms sustainable would hinge on political stability and a focus on implementing genuine change.

EFF condemns ‘misuse’ of public funds on Presidential imbizos

The Economic Freedom Fighters has condemned what it termed the “disgraceful misuse of public funds” on Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential imbizo events, adding that it sets a “dangerous precedent” for other government ministries and institutions in the Government of National Unity to follow suit.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa pointed out that Ramaphosa's Presidential imbizos cost taxpayers a substantial R44-million for four events, over 18 months.

The events were held with the aim of addressing public service delivery concerns and to provide a platform for citizens to voice their complaints and suggestions.

The EFF said the events were a blatant squandering of taxpayer money and a “gross injustice” to South Africans.

The party said the ethically questionable expense is compounded by Ramaphosa’s “evident disinterest and lack of political will” to address the critical issues facing the country.

US to give $414-million in humanitarian aid for Congo

Civil rights movement Not In My Name has called on the Public Protector to investigate the R44-million spent on the Presidential imbizos, also citing misuse of funds and improper procurement processes.

The US will provide nearly $414-million in humanitarian assistance for the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 25-million people need such aid, nearly a quarter of the country's population.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, Jeffrey Prescott, said a significant amount of that money would go to United Nations agencies and aid groups providing urgent food assistance, healthcare and nutrition support, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene.

The funding also includes direct support of agricultural commodities from American farmers. It takes total US funding for DRC since October to $838-million.

A UN aid appeal for $2.6-billion for DRC this year is only one-third funded and the World Health Organization warned last month that more than one million children are at risk from acute malnutrition in Congo.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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