Daily Podcast – July 27, 2020

27th July 2020 By: Sane Dhlamini - Creamer Media Senior Contributing Editor and Researcher

Daily Podcast – July 27, 2020

EFF leader Julius Malema
Photo by: Reuters

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

Making headlines: Govt to meet social partners to finalise economic recovery plan, Steenhuisen's supporters upbeat after virtual congress approved and, Malema criticises Ramaphosa's handling of Covid-19 pandemic

 

Govt to meet social partners to finalise economic recovery plan

In the coming weeks government will liaise with its social partners to finalise an economic recovery programme, with a strong focus on the safeguarding and creation of jobs.

In his weekly address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa said there was a firm commitment to a social compact to reconstruct the economy through a shared undertaking.

He acknowledged that despite government’s support measures, many companies are being forced to close amid declining economic activity, resulting in job losses.

South Africa’s unemployment rate of 30% is expected to soon increase, Ramaphosa warned.

 

Steenhuisen's supporters upbeat after virtual congress approved

An "overwhelming majority" of the DA's Federal Council supported holding a virtual congress.

This is seen as a positive development in interim leader John Steenhuisen's camp, as his challengers for the DA's top spot, Mbali Ntuli and John Moodey, were against a virtual congress.

It has been reported that  that about 82% of the delegates voted for the virtual federal congress on Sunday.

 

Malema criticises Ramaphosa's handling of Covid-19 pandemic

In a scathing attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema questioned scientists' agenda, referred to scientists' findings to make a point, and then complained that Ramaphosa didn't follow scientists' advice.

Malema also called for a return to Level 5 lockdown and for the postponement of next year's local government elections due to the pandemic.

In his address to mark the party's seventh birthday Malema said South Africa has the fifth-highest amount of Covid-19 infections because of a "puppet president who always dances to the tune of the capitalist establishment".

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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