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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa calls for immediate release of S Africans abducted from Sumud Flotilla; DA takes ward from ANC in Mpumalanga by-election, with electoral growth in Mamelodi; And, Tanzania central bank keeps key lending rate steady

Ramaphosa calls for immediate release of S Africans abducted from Sumud Flotilla

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the immediate release of South Africans abducted in international waters, and other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is delivering urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and attempting to raise awareness of the need to stop the war.

Activist and former President Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, was on board the flotilla. He is urging government to add pressure for his immediate release.

In a pre-recorded video Mandela said he was kidnapped by Israeli forces who intercepted the flotilla.

South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla.

Ramaphosa said confirmation is pending on the abduction of Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.

DA takes ward from ANC in Mpumalanga by-election, with electoral growth in Mamelodi

The Democratic Alliance is celebrating its win of Ward 26 in the eMalahleni local municipality, which was previously held by the African National Congress, in Wednesday’s hotly contested by-election, while support grew by 87.6% in the Mamelodi by-election.

DA Mpumalanga provincial leader Jane Sithole said residents of Ward 26 had been “subjected to poor service delivery for far too long”, pointing out that the previous ANC councillor was also implicated in an alleged rape scandal.

Meanwhile, DA Gauteng North regional chairperson Crezane Bosch said the party’s support continued to grow in the Tshwane by-elections and in ANC strongholds.

Bosch said his party was “incredibly serious” about the City of Tshwane, and returning a DA-led government to the nation's capital.

And, Tanzania central bank keeps key lending rate steady

Tanzania's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate steady today, saying inflation was forecast to stay stable and economic performance was robust.

It held the rate at 5.75% after a July cut of 25 basis points at its last policy meeting.

Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba said the decision reflects the projection of stable inflation within the target range of 3% to 5%.

The East African country's inflation has oscillated around 3% for the past two years. In August it stood at 3.4% year-on-year, up slightly from 3.3% in July.

Economic growth in the year's first quarter was 5.4% on the year, up from 5.2% in the corresponding 2024 period, Tutuba said.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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