Some would argue her motivation and timing so shortly after the Zondo Commission of Inquiry report couldn’t have been worse, others would say picking the eve of the ANC’s 110th birthday to make her voice heard is a clear play for the Presidency.
An ANC stalwart herself and as the daughter of ANC icons Walter and Albertina Sisulu often referred to as ANC royalty, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu clearly staked her claim in two opinion pieces – her controversial hit on the rule of law and the Constitution published a day before the governing party’s January 8 statement and another the day after on education as a means for South Africa to find its way back to greatness after losing “our way” in the 27 years after political liberation.
Highly educated and with eight ministerial portfolios, including defence and intelligence under her belt, she is the most experienced female candidate in the executive. But she’s hardly without controversy, and her increasing defense of former president Jacob Zuma could make her play rather tough.
On the Covid front, today marks 666 days into our country’s national state of disaster around the coronavirus pandemic. With hospital cases dwindling and the omicron surge seemingly at its end, the question is will the government renew the official state of disaster this week, or will it allow it to lapse at the end of its latest month-to-month extension?
In the markets, the rand continues to show resilience, starting trading where it left off on Friday, changing hands under R15.60 to the US dollar. “The local currency seems to be holding firm as markets expect the SARB to hike rates at a similar pace to US rates. We need to break the key R15.50 technical level to see further strength in the rand for now, which could be challenging in the short term,” comments TresauryONE.
Precious metals have started flat, with gold trading at $1,794/oz, platinum at $964 and palladium at $1,931, while oil is holding steady just below last week’s best levels at $81.89 a barrel.
Here’s a roundup of the world’s top and most interesting headlines:
SA Business
Nuclear power station life-extension project running late, even before it starts – Daily Maverick
This eMobility programme offers up to R1 million in funding for electric vehicle projects in SA – Business Insider
MTN set to oppose Telkom’s planned interdict on spectrum – Engineering News
Global Business
Panasonic is the latest Japanese company to break with workaholic culture and offer a 4-day week – Business Insider
Ikea cuts sick pay for unvaccinated UK staff who are self-isolating – The Guardian
Virgin Australia to cut capacity by 25% as COVID-19 cases rise – Reuters
Markets
Dollar Up, Investors Look to U.S. Inflation Data for Fed Rate Hike Clues – Investing.com
Asian markets swing as traders weigh Fed tightening, inflation – AFP
IMF says emerging economies must prepare for Fed policy tightening – Reuters
Opinion/In-depth
Lindiwe Sisulu’s extraordinary attack on South Africa’s Constitution – Daily Maverick
Clem Sunter: The World in 2022 – five essential flags to watch – BizNews
How fast will the ANC fall, part one: What will determine the party’s future? – Daily Maverick
Video
Discussion | Parliament Fire | Is insuring property worth it? – eNCA
’I am hearing these noises of a second term’ – Ramaphosa on upcoming ANC presidential race – EWN
Discussion | Is easing restrictions the way to go? – eNCA
Feature image: Lindiwe Sisulu. Source: GCIS
