Sanral in hot water, and cutting ties with SA not easy for the USA
·15 Jan 2025

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:
- Sanral in hot water: The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) is under scrutiny over allegedly misleading claims about awarding R53 billion in tenders since April 2024. While CEO Reginald Demana reported the figure, Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona clarified that the R53 billion included all tender types, not just open tenders. Moneyweb claimed that a review of Sanral’s website revealed only R13.6 billion in tenders awarded. [Moneyweb]
- The trouble with ostracising South Africa: Scholars at the Centre for Strategic & International Studies argue that it would not be in the United States’ national interest to cut economic ties with South Africa. Despite discussions among Trump administration officials, they believe both countries will recognise the mutual benefits of their relationship. [Business Day]
- Stilfontein body count grows: A total of 51 dead bodies have been recovered from the abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein over the past two days. The rescue mission, which began on Monday, 13 January, follows a recent High Court ruling ordering the government to extract the illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, occupying Shaft 11 of the Buffelsfontein gold mine. [The Citizen]
- Back to school: Students across the country have gone back to school today, marking the official start of the 2025 academic year. National Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said that roughly 98% of pupils had been placed. He said overcrowding was one of the “huge problems” the basic education system was faced with because of migration within the country and from outside South Africa. [News24]
- Markets: The rand firmed against the dollar on Tuesday, as markets looked to U.S. consumer inflation data for clues on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path. On Wednesday (15 January), the rand was trading at R18.95 to the dollar, R23.09 to the pound, and R19.53 to the euro. Oil is trading at $80.03 a barrel. [Reuters]