September 05, 2024.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is Polity’s daily podcast.

Making headlines:

Ramaphosa says African countries, China driven by desire to achieve shared prosperity

South Africa's current account deficit narrows again in second quarter

And, DA contests John Hlophe's designation to JSC

President Cyril Rampahosa said on Thursday if African countries and China are to build a future that is people-centred, development-orientated and inclusive, they will need to work in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

Ramaphosa was delivering the opening address during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, where he pointed out China’s long history of friendship and solidarity with Africa. 

In this spirit, the fourth Focac Summit reflected the cooperative, comprehensive and intentional nature of African countries and China's cooperation, also reflecting a shared desire for modernisation, development and progress on the African continent, Ramaphosa said.

He added that since this relationship was institutionalised through Focac in 2000, ties between China and Africa had continued to grow and deepen, driven by a desire to achieve shared prosperity while recognising individual developmental aspirations.

South Africa's current account deficit narrowed in the second quarter, to 0.9% of gross domestic product from 1.5% of GDP in the first quarter, central bank data showed on Thursday.

In rand terms the current account deficit narrowed to R64.6-billion in April to June, from R106.9-billion in the previous three-month period.

The trade surplus widened further to R187.4-billion in the second quarter from R165.8-billion in the first quarter.

"The increase in the value of exports of goods and services in the second quarter of 2024 reflected higher prices while the increase in imports of goods and services reflected both higher volumes and prices," the South African Reserve Bank said in a statement.

The Democratic Alliance is challenging impeached judge John Hlophe's designation to the Judicial Service Commission, in the Western Cape High Court, noting that the party’s legal action underscores a fundamental concern for the integrity and independence of South Africa’s judiciary.

Hlophe is the first judge to be removed from office by the National Assembly, after the JSC found him guilty of dishonesty and gross misconduct. His conviction resulted from his attempts to unlawfully influence two judges of the Constitutional Court, Judges Bess Nkabinde and Chris Jafta, in 2008, to rule in favour of Jacob Zuma in cases before them.

In July, Hlophe was nominated by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party to serve on the JSC, which is responsible for nominating judges for appointment, and for disciplining judges.

DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille said the core issue was whether someone with a history of misconduct should be allowed to participate in the selection of judges, a role, she said demanded unimpeachable standards.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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