August 21, 2024.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is Polity’s daily podcast.

Making headlines:

ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu is Johannesburg Speaker

Raymond Zondo praised for transforming judiciary

And, National Minimum Wage Commission invites inputs for 2025 determination

ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu is Johannesburg Speaker

ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu is the new Speaker of the Johannesburg Council, with a promise to residents that she will instil accountability and transparency in the City.

Mthembu’s appointment comes as a result of Margaret Arnolds’ immediate resignation as Speaker.

Arnolds is now Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, as announced by newly elected Mayor Dada Morero.

Mthembu said today “marked the beginning of a new era”, which she said is focused on restoring the City to its former glory, “where service delivery will take centre stage.”

Mthembu promised to prioritise work to resolve the billing crisis, ensure that the City has the resources to provide public services and the rejuvenation of the Inner City.

Raymond Zondo praised for transforming judiciary

Outgoing Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has been commended for his work at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, while the Democratic Alliance commended transformation of the judiciary to ensure full representativity under his watch.

After 27 years on the Bench, Zondo is retiring. His term of office ends on August 31, after which his successor, Justice Mandisa Maya will take over the role.

Zondo was appointed as a Justice to the Constitutional Court in 2012, in 2017 the Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, and in 2018 he led the State Capture Commission. In 2022, he was appointed Chief Justice of South Africa.

The DA wished him farewell, saying the exemplary work he had done as the chairperson of the Zondo Commission would have a lasting impact in restoring the dignity of the country.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Thembi Simelane said the work of the Zondo Commission remained integral to government’s efforts to rebuild the country in the wake of “one of the most shameful periods in democratic history”.

National Minimum Wage Commission invites inputs for 2025 determination

The National Minimum Wage Commission is inviting stakeholders with an interest in the NMW to make a representation of possible adjustments in the policy instrument.

The commission is conducting an investigation into possible adjustments to the NMW and will submit its recommendations to Employment and Labour Minister Nomakosazhana Meth later this year.

The current NMW is R27.58.

The closing date for submission of written comments or representations concerning possible adjustments to the NMW is September 30.

Written inputs should be sent to the Department of Employment and Labour Employment Standards Directorate, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or be sent to nmwreview@labour.gov.za on or before the closing date.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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