January 22, 2014.
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Chantelle Kotze.
Making headlines:
 

Central African Republic's new president says the country’s government will listen to armed groups.

Violent strikes and minimum wages are under the spotlight.

And, a United Nations report reveals that African growth prospects remain ‘robust’ with 4.7% growth expected in 2014.

Central African Republic's new interim president said on Tuesday she would hold talks with armed groups in an effort to restore order to the former French colony, where at least seven more people were killed in sectarian violence in the north.

In a sign of the growing support for Catherine Samba-Panza,  a representative of former Seleka rebels, who seized power in a coup last March, gave her his backing. Samba-Panza was the mayor of Bangui and was appointed as interim president on Monday.

General Ousmane Mamadou Ousmane, president of the commission in charge of military reform of the Seleka alliance, said the rebels goal was clear, to support the new president to finish her mission, to support her so that peace returns to Central African Republic."

The violence has driven more than one-million people, or about a quarter of the population, from their homes. The United Nations says more than 2 000 people have been killed.

 

Violent strikes and the review of the possibility of increasing minimum wages to address poverty and inequality will come into sharp focus this year, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant said at the annual Nedlac Organised Labour Conference, which is currently underway in Pretoria. Oliphant said factors that give rise to violent and protracted strike action will receive particular attention in the course of the year.

Reflecting on key policy issues for 2013/14, Oliphant said the top priorities for 2014 included the conclusion of amendments to labour legislation, which will give certainty to the policy environment; expanding protection for vulnerable workers; and ensuring faster change in employment equity in workplaces.

She warned that recent developments in the labour front signified a turbulent period ahead, adding that the sooner labour law amendments were concluded, the sooner government would be able to deal with abuses in the labour market and problems of non-compliance with the labour legislation.
 

The United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects 2014 report has revealed that Africa’s economic growth prospects remain "relatively robust". The continent's growth prospects are expected to be supported by improvements in the global economic and regional business environment, rallying commodity prices, easing infrastructural constraints and swelling trade and investment ties with emerging economies.

The report stated that after estimated gross domestic product growth of 4% in 2013, the continent growth was projected to accelerate to 4.7% in 2014 and 5% in 2015.

Further drivers of Africa’s medium-term growth prospects included an increase in domestic demand, most notably associated with a growing consumer class, as well as improvements in economic governance and management.
 

Also making headlines:
 

The United Nations is expected to launch a legal challenge against Malawi’s anti-gay laws.

‘Institutional reform’ is critical in denting South Africa’s high unemployment rate.

And, Gauteng MEC for Finance Mandla Nkomfe says Gauteng’s first funding fair will stimulate entrepreneurship in the province, create jobs and further enhance the local economy.
 

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.