January 23, 2024.

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

Making headlines:

Veterans pledge to protect uMkhonto weSizwe, ANC

Ramaphosa fires Thabi Leoka from his economic council

And, Burundi economy to expand 4.3% in 2024

uMkhonto weSizwe Liberation War Veterans convenor Dan Hatto has asserted that the organisation will take part in the protection of uMkhonto weSizwe, disputing that former President Jacob Zuma was a senior commander of MK.

In December, Zuma addressed the nation in Soweto where he spoke about his political future and where he launched the MK party.

Speaking exclusively with Polity, Hatto said it was “very disingenuous” for Zuma to have chosen December 16 to announce the formation of a new party using the name of uMkhonto weSizwe, using the original logos of uMkhonto weSizwe without any consultation with members.

The African National Congress has indicated that it will legally challenge the use of the name Umkhonto we Sizwe by the new political formation.

Hatto said the veterans organisation has written to the ANC, wanting to be part of the case, as it affects uMkhonto weSizwe directly.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has axed disgraced economist Thabi Leoka from his Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the Presidency communicated to Leoka the immediate termination of her membership on Monday.

Leoka has been under fire after the London School of Economics denied her claim that she has a doctorate from that institution.

Last week, Ramaphosa asked Leoka to "expeditiously address the matter of her qualifications".

On Monday, Leoka resigned from the boards of MTN SA and Anglo American Platinum in the wake of the controversy.

Burundi's economy is projected to expand 4.3% this year from 2.7% in 2023, helped by improved performance in the agriculture sector, the International Monetary Fund said.

With a population of 12-million, Burundi's economy relies heavily on agriculture revenues, especially from tea and coffee.

"Growth is projected to accelerate ... supported by strong agricultural production, productive investment, and the ongoing reforms," the fund said in a statement.

Fuel shortages had hampered economic activity in 2023, the fund said.

Burundi's economy is only starting to recover from years of conflict and political upheaval that left key sectors blighted.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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