February 05, 2024.

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

Making headlines:

Ramaphosa says government turning around ports, but it will take time

IEC records over 1-million registrations on second voter registration weekend

And, Condolences pour in for Hage Geingob

Ramaphosa says government turning around ports, but it will take time

While the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area will provide advantages for South African companies, the efficiency and competitiveness of the country’s logistics architecture needs to improve, which President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured will happen.

In his weekly letter to the nation, the President acknowledged that the State-owned Transnet’s ports and rail lines have been in operational decline, also adding extreme pressure to the country’s roads, however, he said by working together, the private sector and government are seeing positive results, steered by Transnet’s Freight Logistics Roadmap.

In highlighting port improvements, Ramaphosa noted that port congestion in Durban had reduced significantly from over 60 ships waiting to berth in mid-November to 12 by the end of January.

The Port of Cape Town has received seven new cranes for stacking and vessel turnaround times will be improved through increased work shifts.

IEC records over 1-million registrations on second voter registration weekend

The Electoral Commission of South Africa extended its gratitude to the thousands of South Africans who have registered to vote using the online platform and by visiting the IEC’s registration stations.

The IEC held its second voter registration weekend on February 3 and 4, which saw more than one-million people register to vote. South Africa is set to hold its general election later this year.

At the close of registration on day one, more than half a million registrations were recorded at 23 303 voting stations. At 13:00 on Sunday, a total of 564 715 registration transactions had been recorded at voting stations.

On Saturday, the Commission recorded 67 200 online registrations, while Sunday saw 34 293.

Condolences pour in for Hage Geingob

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness at hearing of the passing of Namibian President Hage Geingob, saying Namibia has lost an “outstanding leader” particularly during an election year.

Geingob passed away on Sunday, weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Ramaphosa extended his condolences to the Namibian government and citizens, particularly to First Lady Monica Geingos and family.

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said that as Namibia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, and third President, Geingob was instrumental in the growth and development of Namibia since its independence in 1990.

ActionSA national spokesperson Lerato Ngobeni noted that with a shared history, her party considered Geingob’s contribution to the liberation of his people as a legacy that remained an inspiration to all countries.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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