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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa says Mpumalanga presents opportunities as S Africa’s powerhouse; South Africa business confidence jumps as government hopes grow; And, Zambian court rules ex-president Lungu ineligible to run for another term

Ramaphosa says Mpumalanga presents opportunities as S Africa’s powerhouse

The Mpumalanga province has many advantages that can be used to drive growth and development, said President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting between the national executive and the Mpumalanga provincial executive council.

He noted that more than half the province’s population are living below the lower bound poverty line, and said because of this inclusive economic growth and job creation needs to be at the forefront of all efforts from government and social partners.

This is the third engagement for the national executive and a provincial executive council. Over the next few months it plans to meet with the leadership of all other provinces.

Ramaphosa said the unemployment rate in Mpumalanga is higher the national average, adding that half of all young people are unemployed.

He said Mpumalanga needs to grow faster and the benefits of growth need to reach more of its people.

However, Ramaphosa highlighted that Mpumalanga is literally South Africa’s powerhouse, noting that most of the country’s electricity comes from the province, fuelled by the abundant coal reserves. He said this presents significant opportunities.

South Africa business confidence jumps as government hopes grow

South Africa’s business confidence soared to the highest level in nine years last month, suggesting a significant improvement in the economic outlook as businesses take encouragement from the country’s new governing alliance.

An index compiled by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry jumped to 118.1 in November from 114.2 in October and 110.2 the month before. It’s at the highest level since October 2015.

After losing its outright majority in May elections, the African National Congress turned to the centrist Democratic Alliance and eight other smaller parties to form a business-friendly coalition. The so-called government of national unity has made growth and job creation its top priority after years of disappointing economic performance.

South African growth unexpectedly shrank 0.3% in the third quarter after farm output slumped. Overall growth was just 0.4% in the first nine months of the year.

Sacci said this disappointing performance showed the importance of galvanising cooperation between the private and public sector.

And, Zambian court rules ex-president Lungu ineligible to run for another term

Zambia's constitutional court ruled today that former President Edgar Lungu was ineligible to run for another term in office after he announced his return to active politics last year.

The country's highest court ruled that Lungu's first term, which he served from 2015 to 2016 after the death of then-president Michael Sata, counted as a full term.

His second term was from September 2016 to August 2021, and he then lost the presidency to United Party for National Development candidate Hakainde Hichilema in the 2021 national election.

Lungu's comeback followed the arrest of several family members, including his wife, on allegations of possessing the proceeds of crime.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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