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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa appoints Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to US; Ramaphosa stresses need for ‘level playing field’ in global trade; And, Marokane says Eskom must be given ‘space’ to pursue renewables strategy

Ramaphosa appoints Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to US

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced former deputy minister of finance Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States.

Ramaphosa explained that Jonas will serve as the official representative of the President and the government of the Republic of South Africa.

This comes as tensions with the US continue, and as the world grapples with flip-flop tariffs, imposed and suspended, by US President Donald Trump.

Ramaphosa stresses need for ‘level playing field’ in global trade

President Cyril Ramaphosa said today that trade between countries must remain “free, predictable and governed by a rules-based system”, particularly for developing economies, many of which he said remain in the lower end of global value chains.

He said the South African government was pursuing a trade policy that used international trade agreements to secure fairer terms, promote market access and facilitate expansion into new markets.

South Africa is promoting a trade agenda in its G20 Presidency and expects members to commit to measures to promote expanded, more inclusive and more sustainable value chains.

He described constraints and potential over-reach of trade rules, globally, which he said limited access to key policy tools.

He called on the World Trade Organisaton to provide reform and to be assertive in its mission, as more than 80% of world trade takes place under WTO rules.

He stressed that South Africa is committed to maintaining good relations with existing trade partners and to forging new trade relationships.

And, Marokane says Eskom must be given ‘space’ to pursue renewables strategy

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane has appealed for the State-owned utility to be given “space” to implement its renewable-energy strategy, insisting that it is not designed to “crowd out” private competitors and is in line with the country’s Just Energy Transition strategy of protecting vulnerable coal workers and communities.

Speaking during the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Exxaro aimed primarily at helping to support the coal miner to reduce its Scope 3, or indirect, carbon emissions, Marokane also stressed the utility’s renewables strategy would be pursued in partnership with the private sector.

Eskom has issued a tender seeking private partners for a separate ‘Renewable Energy Business’, to accelerate the deployment of renewable-energy solutions, primarily on land surrounding its coal-fired power stations.

The tender indicates that the utility is seeking to partner with entities with proven credentials in establishing renewables businesses in South Africa, including participation in at least three independent power producer reference projects.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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