Making headlines: Ramaphosa welcomes new continental free trade agreement; De Lille's disciplinary hearing set to start; And, Mabuza implores country to return to founding values

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Paige Muller.

Ramaphosa welcomes new continental free trade agreement

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the adoption by the African Union of an agreement of free trade on the continent as "a new beginning for the continent that will catapult African countries and companies to much higher levels of growth".

Ramaphosa returned to South Africa last night following the adoption of the agreement by the African Union at its 10th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Rwanda.

The Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area should provide new and meaningful trade and investment opportunities across the African continent.

Following the conclusion of his working visit to Rwanda, Ramaphosa said that this was an opportunity that is going to yield great benefits for all countries on the continent as well as big business, small companies and micro-traders.

De Lille's disciplinary hearing set to start

After a false start earlier this week, Cape Town executive mayor Patricia de Lille's disciplinary hearing is due to start today.

De Lille was charged with contravening the DA's federal constitution amid claims of misconduct.

Her disciplinary hearing got off to a slow start this week with technicalities including how the panel was appointed and how the hearing should be constituted.

De Lille believes that Sheila Camerer, one of the three panellists, was not "competent or suitable to hear the matter".

And, Mabuza implores country to return to founding values

Deputy President David Mabuza yesterday bemoaned the numerous evils haunting South Africa, particularly the abuse of women and children, in his keynote address at the country's Human Rights Day commemorations in Sharpeville, in Gauteng.

Speaking at the commemorations, Mabuza said there were many questions to answer in the quest for renewal and unity.

He said returning to the founding ethos and a renewal of South Africa requires that those entrusted with power begin to diligently serve the communities and embrace the values of ethical leadership.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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