5 things you need to know in South Africa today

·9 Dec 2016

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:

Cosatu’s largest affiliate Nehawu has continued calls for President Jacob Zuma to step down with immediate effect. The union, which briefed the media at the end of its Central Executive Committee, wants Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to take over as interim leader until the ANC’s next elective conference in 2017. “This would be the best way to help the ANC leadership develop a unifying road map and steer the party to overwhelming victory in the 2019 National elections” said Nehawu General Secretary Bereng Soke.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi was responsible for wresting control from the SABC Board, SABC board member Vusi Mavuso has revealed. Testifying under oath before Parliament’s ad hoc committee looking into the fitness of the SABC board on Thursday, Mavuso revealed that it was Muthambi’s amendments after Hlaudi Motsoeneng had been named COO that caused the power imbalance in the organisation.

South Africa has climbed three places,to 35th, in the international Nation Brand Index. The Index which polls 50 countries around the world is the world‘s most “comprehensive global nation branding survey”. It takes into account factors such as governance, people, culture and heritage as well as investment opportunities in order to determine its rankings.

If you’re a first time traveller heading out of the country this holiday season, there are new rules at OR Tambo International airport that you need to be aware of. The Department of Home Affairs has detailed new plans for travellers, including new rules for first-time travellers – both foreign and local – with the latter now expected to use separate entrances at the terminals for the purpose of having a full set of finger prints taken before being allowed through.

South Africa’s Rand weakened more than 2% on Thursday after weak domestic economic data and the European Central Bank’s announcement that it was trimming its stimulus program. On Friday, the rand was trading at R13.67 to the dollar, R17.19 to the pound and R14.50 to the euro.

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