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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa to deliver ANC January 8 statement virtually, SA's two biggest pharmacies plan to offer Covid-19 vaccines and, SABC concludes retrenchment process

 

Ramaphosa to deliver ANC January 8 statement virtually

African National Congress President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the party's January 8th birthday statement, but this time it will be delivered virtually.

The much-anticipated speech comes as ANC leaders, including secretary-general Ace Magashule, face allegations of corruption. Magashule faces charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering related to a beleaguered asbestos project in the Free State.

The president's speech is expected to deal with the country's ailing economy and the government's interventions to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

SA's two biggest pharmacies plan to offer Covid-19 vaccines

South Africa's two biggest pharmacy chains Clicks Group and Dis-Chem Pharmacies said they plan to offer Covid-19 shots at their stores and provide storage and distribution facilities in the vaccine rollout programme once government provides more details.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize on Sunday called on the private sector, including pharmacies, to help with the rollout but the government is yet to outline how exactly they will help.

Dis-Chem and Clicks have a combined 45% dispensary market share.

Dis-Chem, with more than 180 stores, will offer the vaccines at all its clinics nationwide and is also looking to offer them at its eight drive-through Covid-19 testing stations.

In the first phase of the vaccine programme, government wants to vaccinate about 1.25-million healthcare workers in the country.

 

SABC concludes retrenchment process

The South African Broadcasting Corporation has concluded its retrenchment process and reduced the number of affected workers to just over 300.

Acting spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo said this process comprised 48 consultations, including seven Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration facilitated consultative sessions, nine bilateral sessions, 28 divisional structure consultative sessions and four facilitated sessions by an independent labour expert.

Seapolelo said the retrenchment process exceeded the minimum legislative requirements of 60 days and four sessions and was finalised on November 6, 2020.

She said after considering all options, the total number of affected employees was reduced to 303 against the projected 600.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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