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

Making headlines: DA hoping Ramaphosa will outline economic policies in opening of Parliament address; ANC affirms Jacob Zuma will appear before its Disciplinary Committee; And, African economies seen delaying joining cycle of global easing

DA hoping Ramaphosa will outline economic policies in opening of Parliament address

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said his party expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to outline South Africa’s reform agenda, which he stated is aligned with DA policy, in terms of unlocking investment and economic growth and building a capable State.

Steenhuisen was speaking in Cape Town on Wednesday where he outlined the party’s expectations for Ramaphosa's opening of Parliament address on Thursday.

Steenhuisen expressed satisfaction with DA’s presence in the Government of National Unity, saying it is “strong and visible,”

He said he trust Ramaphosa’s address will reflect the plurality of voices now in national government, and that he will commit himself wholeheartedly to the necessary policy shift.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde urged Ramaphosa to focus on revitalising economic growth that enables job creation.

ANC affirms Jacob Zuma will appear before its Disciplinary Committee

The African National Congress said former President and now leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party Jacob Zuma’s appearance before its National Disciplinary Committee, scheduled for Wednesday, is proceeding as planned.

The session is being held virtually. The hearing was originally scheduled for 7 May, but was postponed indefinitely.

The party summoned Zuma to appear before its disciplinary committee, accusing him of violating the ANC’s constitution for publicly supporting the opposition party.

The ANC subsequently suspended Zuma in January after he announced he would be campaigning and voting for the MKP.

The ANC said a verdict would be announced once the committee had received and reviewed all representations, noting that it could not specify the timeline for this process as it depended on the scope of the deliberations and the issues under consideration.

The ANC reminded the public that party disciplinary proceedings were not open to the media and the public.

And, African economies seen delaying joining cycle of global easing

African central banks set to decide on interest rates in the next three weeks are unlikely to follow the tide of global easing and maintain tight monetary policies, with one exception.

“EY Africa chief economist Angelika Goliger said the broader theme is one of caution and data dependence with central banks closely monitoring inflation and currency trends.

Analysts expect sub-Saharan Africa’s largest oil producers Nigeria and Angola, who are still plagued by double-digit inflation and weakened local currencies, to increase their benchmark rates.

But South Africa, Egypt, Kenya and Ghana are forecast to retain their policy rates while Mozambique, an outlier, is predicted to continue lowering borrowing costs.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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