February 25, 2014
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:
 

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane says payment of service providers has improved in the province.

The US is surprised by the resignation of the Egyptian government.

And, Vaal University of Technology and Sasol partner in an entrepreneurship initiative.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Monday that service providers were being paid on time after budget reforms were implemented, accruals had declined and debt recovery was more effective. She was speaking during her State of the Province Address.

Mokonyane said Gauteng had increased the timeous payment of service providers from 30% in 2009 to 90% in 2013. This helped save many of the province’s emerging entrepreneurs from financial ruin and build stronger relationships with service providers.

She also announced that in the 2013/14 financial year, the infrastructure budget for health was adjusted to R1.5-billion.

The US said on Monday it was surprised by the resignation of Egypt's government and would continue to push for a transition process that led to a democratically elected government in the country.

Egypt's government resigned earlier on Monday, paving the way for army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to declare his candidacy for president of the strategic US ally.

In a live nationwide speech, Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, who was tasked by interim President Adly Mansour to run the government's affairs until the election, did not give a clear reason for the decision.

US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said the US’s focus remains on pressing and encouraging Egypt to take steps forward that would advance an inclusive transition process that leads to a democratic civilian-led government selected through a credible and transparent elections process.

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and petrochemicals giant Sasol on Monday teamed up to launch the Sasol Entrepreneurship Initiative – a six-month course aimed at developing young entrepreneurs.

The proposed 16-module programme covers aspects such as accounting, entrepreneurship, operations, human resources, marketing and business plan preparation, as well as ‘soft’ skills, comprising effective communication, presentation and time management skills.

VUT head of the enterprise development unit Mark Johnson said the objective of the course was to implement an enterprise development programme for the youth and especially those that come from deprived backgrounds. They would be provided with the necessary skills to start, manage and market their own businesses.

The programme starts on March 1 with an initial intake of 60 students. Another 60 students would be able to enrol at a later date.

Also making headlines:

More than 800 of Cope member Mbhazima Shilowa's supporters will join the United Democratic Party.

And, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni signs the anti-gay bill into law, defying donors and the US to hold off doing so.
 

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.