June 27, 2012.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Gia Costella.

Making headlines:

President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday that South Africa's economy was still largely under the control of whites who held power under apartheid. He called for a "dramatic shift" to redress the wealth balance more evenly in favour of the black majority.

Such calls have been a staple of ANC strategy documents for years and Zuma's policy speech comes months before he will seek re-election as leader of the faction-ridden movement in December. He has also been facing demands from the party's youth wing to nationalise mines and seize white-owned farmland.

Zuma, who was speaking at the start of a major policy meeting of his ruling African National Congress, said the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality posed long-term risks for Africa's richest country 18 years after the end of apartheid.

Without giving details, he called for a "dramatic shift and giant leap" in coming years to spread the country's wealth more equitably, mentioning the distribution of mineral resources and land ownership as areas which needed to be overhauled.

Transnet CEO Brian Molefe says although intra-African trade is currently low compared with other major continents, its growth is inevitable and will require significant investment in transport infrastructure development, such as rail.

The growth of intra-African trade, which stands at 12% of the continent’s overall trade, is key, as African nations will have to look to each other for trade possibilities, while the eurozone crisis persists.

Despite being the fastest growing continent in the world, achieving a 5% yearly growth rate, Africa’s internal trade is still lower than that of the US, Europe and Asia.

Molefe pointed out that Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy, announced in April, will position it to provide the infrastructure required for such growth.

The South African Police Service has announced that National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega has appointed Major-General Chris Ngcobo as Acting Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence, Protection and Security Services.

Phiyega says the acting appointment is aimed at bringing stability in the police intelligence environment.

The decision is also intended to ensure continuity and delivery regarding Crime Intelligence, Protection and Security Services.

Ngcobo took up the position on Tuesday.

Also making headlines:

Unions representing about 1.3-million South African State workers and the government have narrowed differences on a wage deal, nearing a settlement on pay rises that could add more than $1-billion to budget spending.

And, South Africa wakes up to its neighbours as Europe struggles.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.