For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa pledges accelerated govt momentum for economic recovery; Ekurhuleni agrees to payment plan with Eskom, avoids immediate electricity interruption; And, Congo Republic's Sassou seeks new term amid subdued turnout, internet outage

Ramaphosa pledges accelerated govt momentum for economic recovery

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that government is working harder to increase South Africa’s economic recovery momentum, urging citizens to reflect on whether government is fulfilling the promise in the country’s Constitution.

Ahead of Human Rights Day on March 21, Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that government’s work is “far from complete”, pointing out that poverty, inequality and unemployment remain “stubborn obstacles” for South Africans.

South Africa’s Human Rights Day is celebrated each year on March 21 to commemorate the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where 69 people were killed protesting apartheid pass laws.

Ramaphosa said closing gaps in inequality and unemployment is a constitutional imperative.

He urged citizens to “rededicate” themselves to the Constitution and to its principles.

Ekurhuleni agrees to payment plan with Eskom, avoids immediate electricity interruption;

Power utility Eskom has reached an agreement with the City of Ekurhuleni on a payment plan to settle the outstanding debt owed to the utility by the city.

As part of the agreement, the city paid Eskom R1.7-billion of the R3.4-billion owed the utility, with the balance to be paid over 18 months.

This follows after Eskom on March 5 issued a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act notice informing the public of its intention to interrupt or reduce the bulk electricity supply to the city, as well as other municipalities with outstanding debt.

The parties say the payment agreement will be made an order of court and will conclude all active litigation between the parties relating to the bulk electricity supply.

And, Congo Republic's Sassou seeks new term amid subdued turnout, internet outage

Congo Republic voted in a presidential poll yesterday which is expected to extend the rule of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, with a visibly thin turnout underscoring a lack of suspense over the outcome.

Sassou faces a weak field of challengers, with two of the country's best‑known opposition leaders in prison and others in exile. Several opposition parties boycotted the election, saying the process lacked credibility.

More than 3.2-million Congolese were registered to vote, although analysts and civil society groups predicted turnout to fall below the nearly 68% recorded in 2021, when Sassou won his previous five-year mandate with 88.4% of the vote.

After casting his ballot in Brazzaville, Sassou told reporters he hoped the enthusiasm he said he had seen on the campaign trail would be evident in the final turnout figure.

Voting was due to end at 6 pm local time, with counting starting immediately after. Provisional electoral results are expected 48 to 72 hours after polls close.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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