Wednesday, May 6, 2009
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Lindsey Berry.
Making headlines:
President-in-waiting Jacob Zuma is expected to announce his Cabinet soon after his inauguration as South African President this weekend.
Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said that the newly appointed Cabinet members will be sworn in on Monday, May 11, in Pretoria.
Maseko explained that current President Kgalema Motlanthe will remain President of the Republic until the new President assumes office on Saturday, thus his swearing in as a Member of Parliament will be delayed.
The term of office of the outgoing Cabinet will come to an end when the newly elected President assumes office.

In regional news, the African Union says that African States must speed up economic integration in order to deal with challenges posed by the global economic crisis, and to mitigate future external shocks.
While Africa was largely shielded from the initial fallout from the banking crisis, economies already hit by high food and oil prices are now suffering from lower commodity exports and remittances from abroad, as the global economy continues to slow.
There are several regional trade blocs in Africa, such as the Economic Community of West African States and the Southern African Development Community, but progress on the free movement of goods, capital and people has often been hampered by national interests.
AU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Maxwell Mkwezalamba says that the current economic crisis highlights the need and urgency with which African integration must be achieved.
He explained that integration will not only enable enhanced and accelerated economic growth, sustainable development and poverty reduction, and facilitate peace, security and stability, but will also enable Africa to speak with one voice and collectively address common challenges.

In South African news, the African Christian Democratic Party says that the decision by the Department of Home Affairs to grant Zimbabweans free entry into South Africa, could create problems in the long run.
Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced on Monday that Zimbabweans can now apply for a free 90-day visitor's permit at the border, which will allow them to seek casual work in South Africa during their stay.
The ACDP's Cheryllyn Dudley says that the party welcomes any situation giving the people of Zimbabwe back their dignity. But she adds that the ACDP is concerned the decision could exacerbate existing problems if its implementation is not properly monitored and facilitated.
On the other hand, human rights organisation, the Black Sash, has welcomed Home Affairs' decision, saying that it will go a long way in alleviating the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans struggling to make ends meet.

Also making headlines:
South Africa's Parliament will elect Jacob Zuma as President today.
Research by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism shows that next year's FIFA World Cup will grow South Africa's gross domestic product by R21,3-billion.
Statistics South Africa finds that the country's unemployment rate has risen.
And, a Paris judge opens a graft probe into three African leaders' abundant assets.

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.