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

Making headlines: DA says its petition against electricity hikes gaining momentum; After third round of municipal wage negotiations, parties to consider 6% wage increase; And, Ramaphosa says GNU has had a positive effect on business confidence

DA says its petition against electricity hikes gaining momentum

As the Democratic Alliance prepares for the upcoming parliamentary debate on high electricity prices, it is urging South Africans to stand with it and voice their opposition against what it calls “unjustifiable” electricity price hikes.

DA Spokesperson on Electricity and Energy Kevin Mileham said that as of today, over 12 000 South Africans have signed its petition to Parliament against a proposed 40% electricity tariff increase by Eskom.

He highlighted that should National Energy Regulator of South Africa grant Eskom’s request for a 36.15% tariff increase in 2025, in addition to the 4% that it wants to levy on consumers through its Regulatory Clearing Account, many households will be priced out of the electricity market and forced to abandon electricity use altogether.

Mileham noted that the DA’s petition is the start of an overwhelming response and demonstrates widespread public concern over the effect that the proposed tariff increases will have on household incomes, businesses, and the economy.

He pointed out that the petition has become all the more important after the Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza acceded to the DA’s request for a debate on the escalating costs of electricity on consumers.

After third round of municipal wage negotiations, parties to consider 6% wage increase

The South African Local Government Association and organised labour have concluded a third round of salary and wage negotiations, with the facilitators’ proposal of a 6% wage increase for the first year of the agreement now on the table.

The parties will now consider the proposed 6% increase, along with the facilitators' proposal for a five-year agreement.

Salga said the proposal aims to provide for salary and wage adjustments across the board in the context of the realities of high inflation, a constrained economy and limited fiscal resources.

Parties must submit their response to the proposal by September 2. If they endorse the proposed salary and wage agreement, it will come into operation with effect from July 1, this year, and remain in force until June 30, 2029.

This will be the first-ever salary and wage agreement spanning a five-year period that has been obtained in the history of the bargaining council and will go a long way in ensuring the much-needed labour stability in the sector.

And, Ramaphosa says GNU has had a positive effect on business confidence

President Cyril Ramaphosa said today the successful national and provincial elections held in May and the formation of the Government of National Unity have positively affected business confidence.

Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that the progress government has recorded in its reform process has also contributed to the improved sentiment.

He highlighted that the latest Business Confidence Index published by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed to an increase in business confidence since the elections.

Ramaphosa said this sentiment was evident in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s All-Share Price Index, which he noted had increased by about 8% between May and July.

He said this is welcome news, particularly in light of the most recent employment figures released by Statistics South Africa, which show that unemployment remains extremely high at 33.5%.

He acknowledged low levels of business confidence over the last few years, and said government was now seeing a growing confidence among investors, businesses and citizens about the prospects for the country’s economy.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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