For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Mantashe says former presidents should help and not criticise from the sidelines, Western Cape deputy speaker withdraws from committee probing speaker after pressure from ANC  and, AfDB offers South Africa a financing deal to raise $41bn

Mantashe says former presidents should help and not criticise from the sidelines

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said criticisms by former president Thabo Mbeki on South Africa's current leadership in tackling challenges such as the energy crisis don't help solve problems.

During a discussion with Unisa students marking the 14th anniversary of his resignation as president, Mbeki spoke frankly about the leadership deficiencies in the country and he criticised the current leadership.

He discussed the energy crisis and government’s inability to resolve it. Notably, during Mbeki's administration government failed to heed warnings of the impending power crisis and did not take steps to procure new power in time to avoid load-shedding.

Western Cape deputy speaker withdraws from committee probing speaker after pressure from ANC

Western Cape legislature Deputy Speaker Beverley Schäfer has recused herself from an appeals committee investigating Speaker Masizole Mnqasela after the ANC in the legislature took issue with her appointment.

Provincial legislature spokesperson Matthys Odendal said the Office of the Secretary received correspondence from Schäfer of her recusal.

Schäfer was appointed to the committee that will probe Mnqasela's failure to declare a family trust.

Mnqasela was found to have been in breach of the code of conduct for failing to disclose the trust.

AfDB offers South Africa a financing deal to raise $41bn

The African Development Bank has suggested a plan to South Africa that will help the nation use the $8.5-billion in climate financing pledged by some of the world’s richest nations to raise even more funds.

The AfDB has recommended that South Africa park the funds in a special purpose vehicle.

The special purpose vehicle, which can seek a credit rating, can sell zero-coupon bonds to raise as much as $41-billion.

The US, UK, Germany, France and European Union plan to provide $8.5-billion to South Africa to help the country cut its use of coal, which is used to generate more than 80% of its electricity.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter [@PolityZA]