October 30, 2024.

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

Making headlines:

Unlocking private participation in infrastructure, starting with grid, at heart of Godongwana’s ‘pro-growth agenda’

Malusi Gigaba elected chairperson of Parliamentary defence committee

And, Botswana heads to the polls with diamond downturn in focus

Unlocking private participation in infrastructure, starting with grid, at heart of Godongwana’s ‘pro-growth agenda’

Scaling up private sector participation in the delivery of infrastructure emerged as a central component of the “pro-growth agenda” outlined by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in his first Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement since the formation of the Government of National Unity.

Public and private fixed investment levels currently stand at about half of the targeted 30% of gross domestic product set in the National Development Plan, and the MTBPS describes the quality of public-sector infrastructure spending as suboptimal and the quantity as inadequate.

As a result, existing infrastructure is deteriorating, backlogs are growing and the cost of providing infrastructure is high.

“This represents both a challenge and an opportunity,” the MTBPS reads.

While government would restructure the way public infrastructure projects were prepared and financed, Godongwana emphasised the measures being taken to mobilise private resources to augment constrained public capability amid weak growth.

Malusi Gigaba elected chairperson of Parliamentary defence committee

Former Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has been elected as one of the chairpersons of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

Gigaba is implicated in crimes in the Zondo Commission report.

When Gigaba was Public Enterprises Minister in 2012, overseeing the affairs of State-owned enterprises such as Denel, he allegedly introduced the company’s executives to members of the Gupta family at their Saxonwold home.

Phiroene Phala is elected as co-chairperson.

Parliament pointed out that it was resolved that the committee would consist of 17 members – 11 National Assembly members and six National Council of Provinces permanent delegates.

It explained that the committee was constitutionally mandated to exercise oversight over the South African National Defence Force and its subsidiaries by investigating and making recommendations on the budget, functioning, organisation, armaments, policy, morale and state of preparedness of the SANDF.

Botswana heads to the polls with diamond downturn in focus

Botswana votes today in an election that will determine whether President Mokgweetsi Masisi secures a second term, with economic woes caused by declining diamond demand in focus.

Masisi's Botswana Democratic Party has governed the southern African state since 1966 and remains the favourite to win despite decreasing popularity. Voters elect a National Assembly, with the largest party then choosing the president.

The BDP faces a fragmented opposition with its biggest challenge coming from the Umbrella for Democratic Change, a coalition led by lawyer Duma Boko. Two other parties have put forward candidates for president.

Economic issues have dominated the campaign. Although Botswana is one of the wealthiest countries per capita in sub-Saharan Africa thanks to its gems, a decline in the global diamond market saw its economic growth forecast for 2024 slashed to 1%.

Opposition parties have criticized Masisi for the weakening growth rate as well as high levels of inequality and unemployment. Masisi says his plans to create jobs and improve the economy were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic but remain on track.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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