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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa, Trump speak as trade deal discussions continue; BELA Act regulations open for public comment; And, Ghana's finance minister made acting defence minister after fatal crash

Ramaphosa, Trump speak as trade deal discussions continue

More detailed discussions will take place between South African and US trade negotiating teams, following a telephone discussion between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump yesterday.

Last week, South Africa failed to secure a trade deal with the US, which will see tariffs of 30% levied on a slew of South African goods and produce from today.

In Wednesday’s call, Ramaphosa and Trump agreed to continue further engagements on bilateral trade matters, amid the trade negotiations the US is currently involved in.

The Presidency said that both trade negotiating teams will continue discussions.

Yesterday, Trump posted on the Truth Social media platform ahead of the commencement of reciprocal tariffs that billions of dollars will flow into the US from countries that he says have taken advantage of America.

BELA Act regulations open for public comment

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has gazetted the first two sets of regulations under the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act for public comment, urging members of the public to submit written comments by September 30.

Government Gazette No. 53119 and 53120 were gazetted yesterday, with Gwarube explaining that the regulations relate to key provisions of the South African Schools Act regarding school capacity and school admissions.

The first Gazette refers to the South African Schools Act, 1996 Admission of Learners to Public Schools, while the second Gazette refers to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for capacity of Ordinary Public Schools.

Gwarube said this marks a significant milestone in the responsible and inclusive implementation of the BELA Act, aimed at strengthening the governance, equity and quality of education for the country’s 13.5-million learners.

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Bill into law in September last year but delayed its full implementation by three months to allow for discussions on the contested sections, this despite a significant degree of public rejection and concern over its constitutionality.

And, Ghana's finance minister made acting defence minister after fatal crash

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has asked Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson to also act as defence minister after a military helicopter crash in which the defence minister was among those killed, the president's office said today.

The helicopter was flying to gold mining town Obuasi with five officials including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and three airforce crew on board when it crashed.

None survived, and Ghanaian authorities did not immediately give an explanation for what might have caused the crash.

Forson was tapped to serve as finance minister in January after Mahama returned to power.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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