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

Making headlines: South African rand recovers further on bets coalition will hold; Labour union to ballot members after Transnet wage meeting ends without agreement; And, Britain boosts aid for victims of Sudan conflict at conference

South African rand recovers further on bets coalition will hold

The South African rand extended gains in early trade today, bolstered by bets that the country's coalition government will remain intact despite disagreements over the budget.

At 0725 GMT the rand traded at 18.84 against the US dollar, about 0.4% firmer on the day.

The rand fell to a record low last Wednesday on risk aversion over US President Donald Trump's trade war and concerns that South Africa's national unity government could split.

But it has recovered sharply since, helped by signs that the coalition partners are trying to resolve the budget impasse and a news report that the biggest political party, the African National Congress, may back down on a plan to raise value-added tax, the budget's most contentious element.

Labour union to ballot members after Transnet wage meeting ends without agreement

Labour union the United National Transport Union will ballot its members after a conciliation process to resolve a dispute between it and State-owned transport agency Transnet ended without agreement yesterday.

The final offer of a 6% increase in the first and second years and 5.5% in the third year took place within the context of a facilitated and transparent wage negotiation process, and in recognition that job security is essential for employee well-being and Transnet’s long-term sustainability, the State-owned entity said.

Labour union the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union accepted the offer.

UNTU is on record as having rejected the offer and indicated it would not seek additional mandate from its members.

About 20 000 Transnet employees will be eligible for the increase that took effect on April 1, it said.

And, Britain boosts aid for victims of Sudan conflict at conference

Britain today said it would provide 120-million pounds more in aid to people in Sudan, which it said faces the worst humanitarian crisis on record, as it hosted a conference marking the two-year anniversary of the conflict.

The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, sparked by a power struggle between the army and Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, shattering hopes for a transition to civilian rule.

The conflict has since displaced millions and devastated regions like Darfur, where the RSF is now fighting to maintain its stronghold amid army advances in Khartoum.

Rather than mediating directly in the conflict, Britain said Tuesday's conference in London would be a chance to improve the coherence of the international response to the crisis, although Sudan criticised the fact its government was not invited for the talks.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the war had been going on for far too long "and yet much of the world continues to look away."

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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