After President Cyril Ramaphosa was elected to a second term leading the ANC on Monday, discussions about party renewal and the president’s government reform agenda reached a fever pitch. Naturally, all of this is done with an eye toward the elections in 2024.

After terse and tight last-minute horse-trading and cajoling that was reflected in multiple small result margins, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s slate gained five of the seven senior ANC leaders’ jobs, nearly a clean sweep, according to the vote announcement on Monday.

ANC TOP 7 as of 19th December 2022

• President – Cyril Ramaphosa
• Deputy President – Paul Matshatile
• Chairperson – Gwede Mantashe
• Secretary General – Fikile Mbalula
• 1st Deputy Secretary General – Nomvula Mokonyana
• 2nd Deputy Secretary General – Maropene Ramokgopa
• Treasure General – Gwen Ramokgopa

That effectively means Ramaphosa stays in Luthuli House and the Union Buildings, leading a ruling party that is openly in decline and experiencing an existential crisis. Or, as it was stated in the organizational report: “We must accept that the ANC is going through a crisis that is endangering its very existence. If we do not take the appropriate steps, we cannot expect to accomplish any of our objectives or win back the confidence of the populace.

The organizational report is frank in discussing the ANC’s declining support among voters and how “disunity and factionalism remain widespread” despite poor party management. The report declared that “we are at a crossroads.”

Such direct remarks from a group whose membership has decreased from just over a million members in its centennial year of 2012 to 661,489 contradicts recent research that shows Ramaphosa’s public trust levels to be between 10 and 15 percentage points higher than the ruling ANC he leads.

However, a Section 89 independent panel’s recommendation that Ramaphosa had an impeachment case to answer for his Phala Phala farm forex scam hurt the president’s efforts to promote clean administration. Even though investigations are still being conducted by the Public Protector, Hawks, tax authorities, and South African Reserve Bank, ANC MPs used their numbers to block any additional legislative attempts to remove Ramaphosa from office.

Though tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who has also been harshly critical of the president, was not there for the vote, minister of cooperative governance Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma did.

A change in the Cabinet

The first challenge Ramaphosa confronts is a Cabinet overhaul, which might happen as soon as January as a result of his stronger political position following his reelection.

Given a number of interrelated issues, including electoral procedure and compensation for devoted organizing, the timing is difficult. It will put Ramaphosa’s political savvy and resolve to the test.

Rumor has it that Sisulu and Dlamini Zuma will both be fired. In the public service and administration ministry, which has been without a political leader since Ayanda Dlodlo left for the World Bank, as well as the transport ministry, where Fikile Mbalula’s resignation is still pending because his role as the ANC secretary-general is a full-time position, there are two other openings.

Mbalula stated that at a televised briefing regarding the ANC elective conference on Monday night that might take place at the State of the Nation Address in February or on Monday.

Additional executive positions could result from the departure of deputy ministers like Phumulo Masualle, the deputy minister for public enterprises who ran on the Mkhize ticket.

Mabuyane and Mashatile

One of the many repercussions of the deals and horse dealing that must take place is that the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane would have to be accommodated in Cabinet. Mabuyane, a Ramaphosa friend, received 1,858 votes compared to ex-treasurer Paul Mashatile’s 2,018 and was unsuccessful in winning the position of party vice president.

ANC Top 7 Actual Results

President

• Cyril Ramaphosa – 2,476 votes
• Zweli Mkhize – 1,897 votes

Deputy President

• Paul Mashatile – 2,178 votes
• Oscar Mabuyane – 1,858 votes
• Ronald Lamola – 315 votes

Secretary General

• Fikile Mbalula – 1,692 votes
• Phumulo Masaulle – 1,590 votes
• Mdumiseni Ntuli – 1,080 votes

1st Deputy Secretary General

• Nomvula Mokonyane – 2,195 votes
• Tina Joemat-Petterson – 2,145 votes

2nd Deputy Secretary General

• Maropene Ramakgopa – 2,373 votes
• Ronalda Nalumango – 1,948 votes

Chairperson

• Gwede Mantashe – 2,062 votes
• Stanley Mathabathaba – 2,018 votes
• David Masondo – 280 votes

Treasure General

• Gwen Ramakgopa – 1,809 votes
• Pule Mabe – 1,652 votes
• Benjamin Chauke – 580 votes
• Mzwandile Masina – 281 votes

Mashatile’s wish to move into government was clearly expressed by the now ANC deputy president to Bloomberg, where he said: “If I am deputy president of the ANC I think it will be better to go and assist in government”.

Mashatile is not an MP, though. The Constitution also states in section 91(3)(a) that “The President shall choose the Deputy President from among the Members of the National Assembly.”

The prospect of Enoch Godongwana, the finance minister, and Ebrahim Patel, the minister of trade and industry, filling the two Cabinet positions now held by them from outside of Parliament, is not applicable.

Ramaphosa will need to wait until May 2023, when the electoral system will permit the amendment of public representatives lists, to add Mashatile to those lists after a resignation leaves a vacancy. He will then need to manipulate a vacancy on the ANC benches in Parliament so that Mashatile can fill it.

Along with Mbalula’s remarks, this timeline suggests flexible scheduling for a Cabinet rearrangement and perhaps even another step toward the downscaling Ramaphosa mentioned when he was elected president by MPs in February 2018 of the state.

Mabuza Puzzle

Another puzzle for Ramaphosa is how the current Deputy President David “DD” Mabuza will agree to step down or be replaced. Mabuza did, however, decline a nomination from the floor at the ANC national elective conference, potentially indicating that he was ready to make a move in politics.

Voting and related issues occupied a large portion of the five-day ANC elective conference, from a confusing delegate registration process that delayed the start, to voting, including eleventh-hour backroom wheeling and dealing.

This is evidenced by the razor-thin margins in several of the official elections and some somewhat peculiar voting patterns that saw two candidates associated with the Ramaphosa camp divide the vote for deputy presidency, secretary-general, and national chairperson.

NEC challenges

The majority of the 80-member ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) candidates are not supportive of Ramaphosa, therefore the balance of power in the highest decision-making organization between conferences may prevent Ramaphosa from acting as he would want.

The clamor, rivalry, and, yes, division are expected to persist. not just in the ANC, but also in the institutions of government it holds sway over.

Some of it appeared to come to light on Monday when word spread through the grapevine that the Economic Transformation Commission had decided to transfer the struggling Eskom, which has been plagued by nearly constant rolling power outages, to the Department of Mineral Resources.

Mantashe, who has been fighting for Ramaphosa for the previous three weeks, is in charge of that. Through a series of agreements, the President was able to stay in office and ultimately win reelection as the party’s leader for a second term.

The findings were still up for adoption in plenary on Sunday night even though the policy debate commissions had finished their work. On Tuesday, when the ANC announced that the conference would end, the resolutions are anticipated to be released.

The outdated is giving way to the modern. What remains to be determined, though, is how much has actually changed.

The post Here are the items on Ramaphosa’s list after the ANC election: The deteriorating state, a new Cabinet, and elections in 2024 appeared first on News.

President Cyril Ramaphosa

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa opening speech at the ANC 55th National Conference in Nasrec.

For more news, visit sabcnews.com and also #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.

The post President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared first on News.

Chief Kaizer

HISTORY OF KAIZER CHIEFS FROM 1969-
#PSL
#kaizerchiefs

The post Chief Kaizer appeared first on News.

South Africa Minimum Wages

Labour minister Thulas Nxesi says the national minimum wage is now R21.69 for each ordinary hour. The new figures were published published last night. The change will take effect from 1 March 2021. #eNCA Courtesy #DStv403

The post South Africa Minimum Wages appeared first on News.

SOUTH AFRICAN – By supporting the adoption of the Phala Phala report, four African National Congress (ANC) Members of Parliament (MPs) rebelled against the organization.

In an open vote at the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma shocked the other MPs by being the first to break ranks.

“As a disciplined member of the ANC, I vote, yes,” she said.

The Section 89 panel report, which stated that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have infringed the Constitution and anti-corruption provisions, was the subject of a contentious debate in the parliament.

To begin an impeachment procedure against the president, opposition parties need support from a majority of the ANC members.

Lindiwe Sisulu left the meeting while Mervyn Dirks, Mosebenzi Zwane, and Supra Mahumapelo voted in favor of the report.

After Thandi Mahambehlala of the ANC switched her vote from yes to no, there was discussion regarding the rules.

She claimed that she voted “yes” to follow party line since she misunderstood and did so.

The post First of four ANC MPs, NDZ, to vote in favor of adopting Section 89 of the Phala Phala Report appeared first on News.

The post Port Elizabeth Weather Today appeared first on News.

France vs England Match Highlights 2022 | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 | FIFA World Cup 2022 Quarter finals

France vs England Match Highlights 2022, France vs England Highlights, France vs England FIFA World Cup Quarter finals Highlights , France vs England World Cup Highlights,FIFA World Cup 2022 Highlights , FIFA World Cup 2022 Quarter finals highlights

#FIFAWORLDCUP

The post France vs England Match Highlights 2022 | FIFA World Cup Qatar | FIFA World Cup 2022 Quarter finals appeared first on News.

Dion revealed on Thursday that she was given the incredibly rare diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, which affects one to two individuals per million and results in gradual muscle stiffness.

“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” a visibly emotional Dion said in English in one of the videos. A second video was released in French.

“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,” said Dion, known for ballads including, It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, and, My Heart Will Go On.

“It hurts me to tell you today,” the 54-year-old continued in the tearful video shared on her Instagram page, her voice breaking, “that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.”

Celine Dion reschedules Spring 2023 shows to 2024, and cancels 8 of her summer 2023 shows.

"It hurts me to tell you that I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.” – Céline

Watch Celine’s message here https://t.co/7el0cJVM4I pic.twitter.com/C9I8NEL5bs

— Celine Dion (@celinedion) December 8, 2022

The Quebec singer, whose records have sold more than 220 million copies worldwide over the course of her decades-long career, postponed 17 European concerts on Thursday that were set to take place in February, March, and April of 2023.

As part of Dion’s Courage international tour, the concerts that were scheduled for a number of nations, including the UK, Germany, Poland, and Switzerland, were postponed until 2024. She also postponed eight other performances that were planned for the summer of 2019.

The Courage tour, in support of Dion’s latest album of the same name, began in 2019 in Quebec City, Canada, but several shows later were postponed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also had to postpone a residency in Las Vegas in October 2021 due to “severe and chronic muscle spasms.”

Dion said on Thursday that she had the support of her children and was working with a “wonderful team” of specialists after losing her spouse and longtime manager Rene Angelil to cancer in 2016.

“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better, and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me hope. I’m working hard with my sport medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again,” she said in the video.

“But I have to admit, it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life, and it’s what I love to do the most.”

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the United States, patients with stiff person syndrome may have inflexible muscles and be more sensitive to touch and sounds, which can result in muscle spasms.

“Abnormal postures, often hunched over and stiffened, are characteristic of the disorder. People with SPS can be too disabled to walk or move, or they are afraid to leave the house because street noises, such as the sound of a horn, can trigger spasms and falls,” the institute says on its website.

The post Celine Dion diagnosed with rare neurological disorder appeared first on News.

Must be Fluent in Afrikaans

This is an EE position

The candidate must currently reside in Port Elizabeth (ideally within the area or in the 20km radius)

Areas to be Covered:

CBD, North End,

Sydenham, Neawe Township Division:

Automotive Duties Include:

• Target Achievement

• Ensure that the current customers are serviced according to predetermined schedules

• Update Customer Information according to Company requirements

• Sales Reports • Territory Development through networking and cold calls

• Payment collections and credit control Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years working sales experience in relevant industry.

• Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification

• Legal & valid driver’s license with no endorsements

• South African Citizen

• No Criminal Record or Charge

• Clean Credit History (Reputable)

• Sober habits Remuneration:

• Basic salary R15 000

• Commission

• Target bonus (payable only on target achievement)

• Company Vehicle + Petrol Card

• Communication Allowance (R 1 000.00)

• Medical Aid (50% contribution toward Discovery)

• Pension (7.5% contribution of basic)

Please take note: if you have not been contacted within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.

The post External Sales Executive – Port Elizabeth/ Gqeberha – Tooling Industry appeared first on News.

Siyabulela Zonqo, 35, was identified by family members, according to spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu.

On Wednesday, his family got worried and contacted the police.

She claims that on November 29, Zonqo and a buddy left his Veeplaas house to hunt for job, as reported by his family.

According to Colonel Naidu, Zonqo allegedly went to a bar in Korsten around 3 o’clock that same day.

She claims that his friend went looking for him at 6 o’clock to go home but was unable to locate him.

Zonqo’s body was discovered by a bush dweller on the 3rd of December when he opened a bag he found lying against a wall in Grundling Street.

Zonqo had a belt around his neck and his hands were tied behind his back with another belt.

Colonel Naidu says his feet were bound with sellotape.

She says the circumstances around his disappearance and murder remain a mystery and the investigation continues.

The post Body found stuffed in bag outside Gqeberha school – identified appeared first on News.