For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Makhura says SA must take lead in 4th industrial revolution in Africa; Denel asks for R2.8bn State cash injection; And, Mashaba grateful for EFF support

Makhura says SA must take lead in 4th industrial revolution in Africa

Gauteng premier David Makhura said on Friday that South Africa must take the lead on the continent in advancing technological innovations relating to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the current global trend in which technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things, robotics, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are changing the way people live and work.

Makhura said South Africa must take a lead in order to ensure that Africa collectively harnesses the opportunities and navigates the challenges brought about by the advent of Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He added that South Africa is also moving fast to a future in which 41% of current jobs in South Africa will be rendered obsolete by automation, 35% of skills that are considered important in today's workforce will have changed beyond recognition, and others would have disappeared completely.

Denel asks for R2.8bn State cash injection

State arms company Denel has asked the government for a R2.8-billion cash injection to help it emerge from a financial crisis and secure lucrative export deals, its chief executive said.

Denel, a cornerstone of the country's once-mighty defence industry, is one of several State firms whose finances were damaged by years of mismanagement during former President Jacob Zuma's tenure.

CEO Danie du Toit, appointed late last year to oversee a turnaround plan, said recovery efforts were progressing well and Denel could win R30-billion of deals in the next two years if it received help to overcome acute liquidity constraints.

And, Mashaba grateful for EFF support

The mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, said he will forever be grateful to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) should his tenure end due to the council's collapse.

The EFF announced this week, during a media briefing, that it would no longer vote with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in municipalities across the country, after the party's power-sharing proposal was turned down by the DA, the second largest party in the country.

The decision could see the DA struggling to pass resolutions and budgets in councils where it has formed coalitions with smaller parties and a working relationship with the EFF.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, EFF leader Julius Malema said his party would no longer vote with the DA or African National Congress (ANC) on municipal issues.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to download the Polity apps for iPhone and Android devices