For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa says reopening of schools under discussion, Gordhan, Mboweni commit in letter to obtain funding for SAA and, South Africa tops 300 000 confirmed Covid-19 cases

Ramaphosa says reopening of schools under discussion

In light of a warning by the World Health Organisation with regard to the reopening of schools while coronavirus is approaching its peak, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the matter is currently under discussion.

The WHO this week said the reopening of schools in any country would only be safe in the context of low community transmissions of Covid-19.

On Wednesday evening, the president said because of the stance of the WHO and the country's largest teachers' union SA Democratic Teachers Union, the matter needed to be reviewed again.

Gordhan, Mboweni commit in letter to obtain funding for SAA

In a letter sent to the business rescue practitioners of South African Airways late on Wednesday evening, Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni have committed to obtain funding for the State-owned airline's short, medium and long-term requirements.

The letter, which does not mention any particular amount, was requested by the business rescue practitioners.

The rescue plan requires about R16.3-billion in new funding for, among other things, restarting operations of R2.8-billion for July and August and severance packages for employees about R2-billion.

South Africa tops 300 000 confirmed Covid-19 cases

South Africa has topped the 300 000 mark for confirmed Covid-19 cases, climbing to a total of 311 049 cases as of 15 July.

South Africa has steadily moved up the chart of countries with the most confirmed cases of the virus, currently sitting in the eighth spot.

South Africa recorded an additional 12 757 cases in the last 24 hours.

Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize recently said the infection surge was upon the country, and Gauteng in particular. He added the peak would be experienced from July to early September.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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