June 18, 2012

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Reggie Sikhakhane

Making headlines:

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says government has started the first of many engagements with the private sector to assess the solutions offered as an alternative to the e-tolling system on the upgraded Gauteng highways.

During a meeting with Business Unity South Africa, Motlanthe re-emphasised that the user-pay system is the "most equitable way" of funding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. He said the engagement with the private sector should uncover the underlying cause for frustration regarding the user-pay system.

Further, the deputy president says that while various funding models were examined, the requirement remained the same – South Africa needs to decongest its roads, as well as improve its alternative routes and develop a reliable public transport system.

Motlanthe will hold a number of further consultations with other organisations in coming weeks, including the Road Freight Association, followed by a meeting with the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance.

A Group of 20 summit in Mexico will likely focus on ways to spur global growth, job creation and on the eurozone debt crisis, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The meeting of developed and developing countries will also assess progress made in raising new resources for the IMF, adds IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice, although he denies backtracking or delays by some donors to make good on their promises to bolster the IMF's war chest by $430-billion.

Frustrated with the slow pace of IMF voting reforms, Brazil has said it would not contribute fresh money to the IMF until there is headway in giving emerging economies greater say in the fund.

Campaigning for Libya's first national election in a generation will kick off today ahead of July 7 polls to choose a national assembly which will redraw the autocratic system of rule put in place by ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.

In a statement on its website, Libya's electoral commission states that candidates will have 18 days to campaign, from June 18 until July 5, with 2 501 independents and 1 206 political association candidates eligible to stand.

The country is currently governed by the National Transitional Council, an unelected body of civic and tribal leaders and Gaddafi opponents which is recognised internationally as the country's legitimate leadership.

Also making headlines:

According to a recently released index, some large economies show significantly lower growth when natural assets such as forests and water are factored into growth indicators.

And, Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj has denied reports that President Jacob Zuma went to Mexico to avoid being heckled at a Youth Day event he was scheduled to address at the weekend.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.