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

Making headlines: Political parties ready for ‘crucial’ 2024 elections ahead of voter registration weekend; Brics multilateral lender seeks its first-ever syndicated loan; And, Pandor says Israel's occupation of Palestine 'bred hatred, suffering and pain'

Political parties ready for ‘crucial’ 2024 elections ahead of voter registration weekend

Political parties attending launch of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial elections campaign have expressed their readiness for what is touted to be South Africa’s wastershed election since democracy in 1994.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont tells Polity that the upcoming elections will be the first in which South Africans can voice their opinions on the country since loadshedding became a permanent feature as well as amid the ongoing controversies of Phala Phala, the ongoing degradation of the economy and the loss of jobs.

Meanwhile, Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa says his party is more than ready for the elections as it prepares for its policy conference in December which will inform the party manifesto.

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen says the upcoming elections are crucial as no party will win with an outright majority and every vote will count.

And African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula adds that the IEC must play its role in voter education to ensure that people know the importance and power of voting.

Brics multilateral lender seeks its first-ever syndicated loan

The multilateral lender established in 2015 by the Brics group of emerging-market countries is seeking its first-ever syndicated loan, according to people familiar with the matter.

Insiders says the Shanghai-headquartered New Development Bank is looking to raise $1.25-billion through a three-year dollar-denominated loan. The lender was founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Fund uses would include infrastructure and renewable-energy project financing in Brazil, China, India and South Africa plus Egypt and Bangladesh. Russia, hit by sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, wasn’t mentioned in the loan’s use of proceeds.

Interested lenders in Asia and the Middle East are invited to submit their commitment by the end of November.

New Development Bank, which sold a $1.25-billion green bond in April, is looking to add members and do more lending in local currencies. There’s currently eight members, according to the bank’s website. Meanwhile, nations including Saudi Arabia and Iran were invited in August to join the five-nation Brics group.

And, Pandor says Israel's occupation of Palestine 'bred hatred, suffering and pain'

In an assertive address to the United Nations Security Council, International Relations and Co-operations Minister Naledi Pandor said Israel's occupation of Palestine "bred hatred, suffering, and pain". 

Moreover, Pandor reiterated South Africa's call for a "two-state solution".

Speaking at the UN in New York, Pandor – while deploring the violence committed by the Israeli Defence Force and Hamas, which operates in the Gaza Strip – emphasised that Israel, according to South Africa's official position, was occupying Palestinian territories.

Her views follow those of Ambassador Mathu Joyini, South Africa's permanent UN representative, who, speaking to the international relations and co-operation department's broadcast Platform, Ubuntu Radio, said Pandor would use the two-day security council gathering, ending today, to finally outline the country's official position on the current war that resurged in early October and claimed thousands of lives and hostages.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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