Daily Podcast – May 27, 2019

27th May 2019 By: Thabi Shomolekae - Creamer Media Senior Writer

Daily Podcast – May 27, 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa’s decisions ahead of Cabinet announcement; Carbon Tax Act signed into law; And, Premier Sihle Zikalala announces his KZN cabinet

Ramaphosa’s decisions ahead of Cabinet announcement

While President Cyril Ramaphosa is officially the man in charge at the Union Buildings, there won't be any time for him to bask in any glory.

His first major task is the announcement of his deputy president and the rest of his Cabinet.

Ramaphosa is walking a tightrope as he balances the need to appease supporters, quell the so-called "fight back" faction in the African National Congress, calm investors and instil confidence in South Africans when he names his Cabinet this week.

The Constitution states that the president must assume office within five days of being elected but is less clear about the appointment of the president's executive.

Carbon Tax Act signed into law

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Carbon Tax Act into law and it will come into effect on June 1.

The Act was gazetted on May 23, together with the Customs and Excise Amendment Act.

The Carbon Tax Act gave effect to the polluter-pays principle for large emitters and helped to ensure that firms and consumers took the negative adverse costs into account in their future production, consumption, and investment decisions.

And, Premier Sihle Zikalala announces his KZN cabinet

Freshly-sworn in KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has announced his provincial cabinet for the next five-year term.

Around 200 guests, including former president Jacob Zuma, were present for Zikalala's inauguration as premier on Monday in Pietermaritzburg, following the May 8 general elections.

The African National Congress retained the province, albeit with a significantly reduced majority - an almost 11% decline.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

To keep in touch with the news while you are on the move, visit m.polity.org.za