February 12, 2013.
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:
Former anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele is expected to make an announcement next week on her political plans.
The ANC is expected to reinstate Tlokwe former mayor Maphetle Maphetle.
And, South African Airways suspends its acting CEO Vuyisile Kona.
Former anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele will make a formal announcement on her political plans next Monday. FTI Consulting said that Ramphele would make her announcement at the Women's Gaol, Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg.
The announcement follows a recent visit to the US, where Ramphele reportedly said she was collecting money for a political party and was "entering politics to save her country". She also rallied the support of ambassadors.
According to reports, Ramphele thought stronger opposition was needed after President Jacob Zuma was re-elected African National Congress president at the party's elective conference in Mangaung in December.
The African National Congress in the Tlokwe (or Potchefstroom) Municipality says it plans to reinstate its former mayor, who was ousted in favour of a Democratic Alliance candidate, at a council meeting in two weeks.
Fighting ANC factions passed a motion of no confidence against mayor Maphetle Maphetle in November. The ANC North West condemned the move against Maphetle as an embarrassment and a shame to the party.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said a council meeting is scheduled for February 26, 2013, to reinstate the ANC mayor so as to correct the wrongs that were created by the ANC councilors. He added that the ruling party believed this would go a long way to restore the confidence of the community in the councilors.
South African Airways has placed its acting CEO Vuyisile Kona on precautionary suspension. The airline said its board of directors made the decision after certain allegations came to its attention.
SAA said in a statement that it must be stressed that the board hasn’t come to any conclusion as to the veracity or otherwise of these allegations.
Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout would take over as acting CEO until a permanent replacement was recruited.
Also making headlines:
Egypt protesters clashed with police on the second anniversary of the overthrow of veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
Auditor-General Terence Nombembe says the South African Government isn’t serious about fighting corruption.
Eritrea's President Isaias Afewerki says there is no fear of unrest in the country following an army mutiny.
And, Business Unity South Africa says South Africa needs to swiftly implement the proposals outlined in its tabled National Development Plan.
That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.