For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa says government to finalise strategy to support transition to EV manufacturing, BLSA says South Africa must clarify Russia stance and, Advocacy group says South African food value chain is not transparent 

Ramaphosa says government to finalise strategy to support transition to EV manufacturing

President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that government will soon be finalising a strategy to support the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing to keep up with global developments.

Worldwide, countries are incentivising the manufacture and uptake of EVs as the world moves towards decarbonisation.

Ramaphosa explained that the decarbonisation of South Africa’s society could drive growth, improve industrial competitiveness, create jobs and harness the potential of innovation.

He argued that while there were fears that the move towards decarbonisation would result in job losses, BMW’s plans for job retention, reskilling and training on electro-mobility would provide certainty to more than 20 000 employees at the company’s facilities across the country.

BLSA says South Africa must clarify Russia stance

South Africa's ambiguous stance on Russia has led to the US Congress and Senate noting that the docking of the Lady R vessel, in Simon’s Town naval base in May, and the joint military drills with Russia in February, “call into question South Africa’s eligibility for trade benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act.

 Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso said a key factor that has undermined US goodwill is the various confusing actions and statements from South Africa's government.

Mavuso said South Africa must come out with the facts about Lady R.

Advocacy group says South African food value chain is not transparent

Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group programmes coordinator Mervyn Abrahams  expressed concern that the food value chain in South Africa is not transparent, as more citizens battle to afford basic food items.

He was speaking to Polity following the release of worrying statistics by the PMBEJD that South Africans are paying nearly R5 000 for a basic food basket — R570 more than a year ago.

According to the recent statistics even middle-class South Africans are struggling to make ends meet as the energy crisis continues.

Abrahams warned that the country could see increased household food security risks because of the recent electricity and municipal tariff hikes.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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