August 14, 2024.

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

Making headlines:

S Africa urged to lift growth as business confidence rises

DA urges S Africans to sign petition against 40% electricity hikes

And, Mpox vaccines likely months away even as WHO, Africa CDC discuss emergency

S Africa urged to lift growth as business confidence rises

South Africa’s new multi-party government has an opportunity to boost economic growth and investment, the country’s Chamber of Commerce said, as it announced a slight recovery in business confidence over the last two months.

A measure of sentiment compiled by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry rose to 109.1 in July from 107.8 in May. The gauge, which is published every other month, averaged 111.2 during the first half of 2024, higher than the 109.8 recorded over the same period last year.

The business group said there is now an opportunity to put the economy on an upward trajectory that fosters greater business and investor confidence. The broader representation and accountability in government have created an opportunity for efficient economic expansion, more employment opportunities, and increased inclusiveness.

Sentiment has turned positive since May 29 elections cost the African National Congress its outright majority for the first time in 30 years, pushing it to form a broad coalition with centrist parties including the Democratic Alliance and other smaller rivals.

DA urges S Africans to sign petition against 40% electricity hikes

The Democratic Alliance has launched a public petition against Eskom’s upcoming 40% tariff increase, saying such an exorbitant increase will leave millions of households having to make the distressed choice between food and electricity.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa approved the 40% electricity tariff increase set to take effect from April 1, 2025.

On Tuesday, the caucus of DA local government mayors began a process of written objections to Nersa.

DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp pointed out that the petition acknowledged that at a time when South Africans are already facing a dire cost-of-living crisis, not many can afford to pay 40% more for electricity.

The DA said it was going to wage a “full-blown battle” against Eskom's tariff hikes and the “unacceptable” process through which these hikes are determined.

Mpox vaccines likely months away even as WHO, Africa CDC discuss emergency

Vaccines to help curb an escalating mpox outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries may still not reach the central African country for months even as the World Health Organization considers following Africa’s top public health agency in declaring the outbreak an emergency.

On Tuesday, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared a public health emergency of continental concern for the first time ever, and today, a WHO-led panel meets to decide if it represents a global threat.

But while experts hoped the meetings would galvanise action worldwide, many obstacles remain, including limited vaccine supply, funding and competing disease outbreaks.

Africa CDC said last week it had been granted $10.4-million in emergency funding from the Africa Union for its mpox response, and its director general Jean Kaseya said on Tuesday there was a clear plan to secure 3-million doses of vaccine this year, without elaborating further.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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