February 14, 2014
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:
 

President Jacob Zuma departs from his State of the Nation speech to call on miners owners and workers to put the economy and jobs first.

The European Union’s military force is expected to create a 'safe haven' in Central African Republic.

And, South African Ministers praise President Jacob Zuma 2014 State of the Nation Address .

 

President Jacob Zuma used the platform of his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday night to make a direct appeal for mine owners and mine workers to put the economy and job security ahead of narrow self interest as they negotiated a resolution to ongoing industrial-relations disputes.

Deviating from his formal speech, Zuma said there was “no way we can have conflict that destroys the economy” and appealed to both sides to negotiate in a manner that was mindful of mining’s vital economic, employment and export contribution.

The President was speaking against a backdrop of an ongoing strike in the platinum sector, which the Chamber of Mines had indicated was costing the industry R400-million a day. But labour tensions were broadly based across the sector, having intensified in the run up to, and since, the killing of 34 miners and 10 police and security personnel near Lonmin’s Marikana mine in August 2012.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed Zuma's call for greater stability in industrial relations in the mining sector and the positive contribution of government mediation. But CEO Neren Rau added that progress in streamlining environmental assessments and mining and water licences to ease the regulatory burden on heavy industry and the mining sector was yet to be substantially tested.

The small military force the European Union plans to send to violence-torn Central African Republic would focus on swiftly creating a safe haven in parts of the capital Bangui, its French commander said on Thursday.

Major-General Philippe Ponties said the 500-strong force would have just six months from when it became fully operational to help improve security. He said the force "must attain visible results very quickly."

The aim was to establish in its area of operations a kind of safe haven (in a limited area of Bangui) where people could feel secure, he said.

Almost a million people have been displaced by fighting which erupted after the mostly Muslim Seleka rebel group seized power in March last year in the majority Christian country.

President Jacob Zuma's cabinet members lauded his "fair" and "balanced" state-of-the-nation address on Thursday. Zuma's focus on the country's economy was a highlight for many ministers.

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel said the speech was a very economic-laden speech because current times require a focus on the economy.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said Zuma's speech was very well delivered.

Despite the numerous violent service delivery protests plaguing the country, ministers in the security cluster were also upbeat about Zuma's stance on the issue.

Also making headlines:

Freed political prisoners cast doubt on South Sudan’s peace talks.

And, University of the Witwatersrand economist Kenneth Creamer said President Jacob Zuma's warning on conflict in the mining industry should be taken seriously by mine workers and mining companies alike.
 

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.