Daily Podcast – March 15, 2016

15th March 2016 By: Sane Dhlamini - Creamer Media Senior Contributing Editor and Researcher

Daily Podcast – March 15, 2016

Fikile Mbalula
Photo by: GovtZA

March 15, 2016.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.
Making headlines:

ANC calls for the release of political prisoners.
Zimbabwe says up to 4-million need food aid after drought.
And, Gordhan says overseas trip allayed investor fears.


The Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula wearing his ANC hat, has called for the release of all “political prisoners”.

The call was made after the ANC and the SACP demanded the review of the judgement to release Chris Hani’s killer, Janusz Walus, on parole.

Mbalula said the party was demanding “full disclosure” from Walus on why he killed the chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC.


The number of Zimbabweans requiring food aid has risen to 4-million, up from 3-million initially, as the southern African nation grapples with its worst drought in more than two decades.

An El Nino induced-drought has hit Zimbabwe hard and last month it appealed for $1.6-billion in aid to help pay for grain and other food.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira said government stocks of maize, the staple food, were 91 326 tonnes as of March 10 - enough to last three months. Mupfumira did not give details of stocks held by private millers and farmers.


Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan described his recent UK and US roadshows as progressive, and said international investors had shown their confidence in South Africa, despite having concerns about the current economic and political situation in the country.

The roadshows to the UK and the US was aimed at garnering investor support ahead of this week’s visit to South Africa by rating agency Moody’s to assess the country’s credit rating.
He said investors were concerned about issues relating to business and investment confidence, regulatory clarity, labour and monetary policy and the political environment of the country.

Gordhan said the next few months were critical as South Africa was expected to demonstrate concrete actions to map a path for higher economic growth as it sought to preserve its investment grade rating and also demonstrate progress to address poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Also making headlines:
No date set for Hani daughter's meeting with killer, Walus
And, Standard Bank economist who posted controversial tweet resigns

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today