Good morning, here’s what you need to know today:
Soon we won’t have to wear masks anymore as the health minister recommends lifting the remaining restrictions, Lindiwe Sisulu doubles down on her attacks against the constitution and the judiciary, and Amazon’s planned arrival on SA soil next year offers online shoppers an attractive proposition.
SA waits for cabinet to scrap masks after health minister gives thumbs up – Business Day
All the remaining Covid-19 restrictions could soon be a thing of the past after a leaked memo that has subsequently been verified by two health department officials indicated that health minister Joe Phaahla would recommend the removal of the last restrictions still in place.
The move comes as South Africa has exited the fifth wave of infections and the positivity rate has dropped significantly.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde indicated the presidential co-ordinating council is due to meet today to discuss lifting the remaining restrictions, which include indoor mask-wearing, a restriction on public gatherings, and testing and vaccination requirements for travellers coming to South Africa. Read more here.
In a spit-fire speech to Unisa, Lindiwe Sisulu repeats her January attack on judiciary and SA Constitution – Daily Maverick
Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu seems to be sticking to her guns and defended her attack on the constitution and judiciary during an address to Unisa on Tuesday. The move comes as Sisulu tries to reinsert herself as a contender for the ANC presidency – where she will face Zweli Mkhize and the incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa at the elective conference.
Sisulu seems to be backing her assertion that judicial reform is necessary and that a handful of black judges have “colonised minds.” The minister also said she stands by every word she wrote in a controversial opinion piece published in January – where she first made the statements attacking the judiciary and constitution.
She also, again, refuted the president’s claim that she had apologised to him after he summoned her for a meeting following the publication of the opinion piece. Read more here.
Why Amazon Prime delivery – due in SA in 2023 – is such an online shopping game changer – Business Insider
When the e-commerce giant, Amazon, launches in South Africa next year it will be a major disruptor of the established online shopping sector in the country.
Amazon will bring with it a monthly bundle price – not available at launch but due to come later in the year – that will include a subscription to its music, movies, photo storage, and most importantly one standard delivery per week.
It’s the latter part of the bundle that is so attractive and will leave other online shopping players like Takealot – SA’s largest online retailer – struggling to play catch-up. In effect, with the bundled pricing you would be able to buy an item for R20 and have it delivered soon thereafter at no added cost.
By comparison, Takealot charges an R65 delivery fee for any order under R450 and free delivery for an order above that mark. Read more here.
Here’s a round-up of what else we’re reading:
Oil pushed into retreat as recession angst rattles investors – Daily Maverick
Oil turbulence could last five years, ExxonMobil boss warns – The Citizen
Ramaphosa survives another week in the ANC, officials mum on farm saga – EWN
DA asks FBI to investigate Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm saga – News24
South Africa’s $8.5 billion climate pact could draw new partners – BusinessTech
Interest rates: Reserve Bank acted early enough to keep inflation in check, says Kganyago – Fin24
Twitter board endorses Elon Musk takeover, urges investors to vote in favour of the deal – Business Insider
