For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: SA condemns US military attacks on Iran, calls for dialogue to end conflict; Mashatile concludes working visit to Russia to boost strategic relations; And, $1.5bn World Bank loan to support reforms in South Africa’s energy and transport sectors

SA condemns US military attacks on Iran, calls for dialogue to end conflict

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged dialogue to end the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, with the hope that US President Donald Trump will use his government’s “influence” to urge parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving the dispute.

The US military joined Israel’s onslaught on Iran over the weekend, attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. At least three strategic Iranian nuclear sites; Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, were struck, the US says.

South Africa urged the US, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the “opportunity and space” to lead a peaceful resolution through inspection and verification of Iran's status of uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity.

The GOOD Party called out the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites as a breach of international law that had “dangerously escalated tensions”.

GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron said as a global superpower, the US should be working to prevent conflict, not inflame it, echoing Ramaphosa’s call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the growing conflict in the Middle East.

Mashatile concludes working visit to Russia to boost strategic relations

Deputy President Paul Mashatile returned to South Africa today, after concluding what he described as a “successful Working Visit” to Russia aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations between both countries.

During his visit, Mashatile expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia’s support of the anti-apartheid struggle.

Mashatile arrived in Moscow last week Tuesday, where he was received by Russia’s Deputy Head of State Protocol; Deputy Director of African Department; and International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Alvin Botes.

Acting spokesperson to Mashatile Keith Khoza explained that the Working Visit kicked off with Mashatile laying wreaths at the Mausoleum of Moses Kotane and J.B Marks at the Novodevichy Cemetery, and UN Heritage Site, in Moscow.

And, $1.5bn World Bank loan to support reforms in South Africa’s energy and transport sectors

The World Bank has approved a $1.5-billion (or R27-billion) development policy loan to support the implementation of ongoing structural reform in South Africa’s energy and transport sectors, as well as the country’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.

In a statement, the National Treasury said the loan offered favourable interest rates based on the six-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate, plus 1.49%, as well as flexible repayment terms, with a 16-year maturity and a three-year grace period.

Treasury said the loan will help unlock key infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly in the energy and freight transport sectors, thereby enabling inclusive economic growth and fostering job creation.

The financing forms part of the government’s broader efforts to implement structural reforms that strengthen public institutions, crowd in private investment, and improve service delivery across priority sectors of the economy.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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