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Making headlines: Moody's expects coalition government to reach budget compromise; DA calls for mayoral candidate applications for Gauteng, Free State; And, UJ confers honorary doctorate on Kgalema Motlanthe

Moody's expects coalition government to reach budget compromise

Ratings agency Moody's expects South Africa's coalition government to reach a compromise that allows the country's deadlocked budget to pass with its focus on fiscal consolidation intact.

The agency explained that continued friction within the Government of National Unity means there may still be some changes to fiscal measures before parliament approves the budget, but Moody’s expect the budget's overall focus on fiscal consolidation to remain.

The budget was postponed last month because of disagreements in the ruling coalition over a contentious plan to raise value-added tax, before Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented a revised version in parliament last week.

DA calls for mayoral candidate applications for Gauteng, Free State

Ahead of the upcoming 2026 Local Government Election, the Democratic Alliance is calling on “passionate, committed and skilled individuals”, with local government knowledge, to stand as mayoral candidates for the City of Johannesburg, City of Ekurhuleni, City of Tshwane and Mangaung.

DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille explained that the DA was looking for the “very best candidates” to stand for these crucial leadership positions, and those wishing to apply would go through a thorough process over the coming months, in the first round of applications.

She noted that the candidates must be willing to do “everything they can” to prevent corruption and the collapse of services in those metros.

Zille explained that the applicants would be interviewed and scored with questions posed to them randomly drawn from a pre-approved bank of questions to ensure the integrity of the process.

And, UJ confers honorary doctorate on Kgalema Motlanthe

The University of Johannesburg will this afternoon confer an honorary doctorate on former President Kgalema Motlanthe, who it said is known for his “commitment to democracy, governance, and social justice”.

The conferral will take place at the UJ Auditorium at Auckland Park Kingsway Campus in Johannesburg.

The university pointed out that throughout his career, Motlanthe had worked to advance economic and political reforms, championing the principles of equality and development.

He ultimately served as South Africa's third president after Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, a position that highlighted his “statesmanship, intellect, and commitment towards social justice”, UJ said.

Motlanthe is among eight individuals that the university is conferring honorary doctorates on during its 2025 graduation ceremonies, coinciding with its 20-year celebrations.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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