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The South African government is being advised to sell some state-owned companies to improve public finances amid a weak economy. A report commissioned by President Jacob Zuma suggests selling underperforming companies, marking a potential shift from the African National Congress's long-standing policy against privatization. Analysts believe that major entities like Eskom and South African Airways are unlikely to be sold, despite their financial struggles. The government has previously sold its stake in Vodacom to raise funds for Eskom.

Thousands of South Africans marched in major cities demanding President Jacob Zuma's resignation, blaming him for financial instability following his abrupt replacement of the finance minister. The protests, driven by social media, saw participants carrying signs like 'Save South Africa' and 'Recall Zuma now'. Zuma's reappointment of former finance minister Pravin Gordhan did little to quell the unrest. The ruling ANC has dismissed calls for Zuma's removal, while Zuma himself avoided addressing the controversy during a public event.

Eskom's CEO Brian Molefe predicts the utility will be cash positive by 2025, dismissing the idea of privatization as 'foolish.' Despite producing nearly all power in South Africa and facing a R200 billion funding shortfall, Eskom is working on new power stations and a revised tariff structure. The company plans to raise funds through an international bond and is in a coal supply dispute with Glencore's Optimum mine. Eskom aims to expand its generation capacity and South Africa seeks to procure additional megawatts, including a costly nuclear program.

South African President Jacob Zuma has announced a freeze on tuition fees at public universities in response to widespread student protests. The decision came after thousands of students rallied in Pretoria, with some clashing with police. The protests, the largest since the end of apartheid, have highlighted the economic and racial divides in the country. The African National Congress, which has been in power since 1994, is seen as corrupt and has been losing support. Universities had proposed fee increases due to underfunding, but students demanded no increase, rejecting a 6% cap offered by the Minister of Higher Education.

South African President Jacob Zuma announced a freeze on university fee increases for 2016 following a week of intense student protests. The protests, marked by clashes with police, highlighted the financial struggles faced by many black students and the ongoing inequalities in post-apartheid South Africa. While some students welcomed the fee freeze, others felt it fell short of their demand for free education. The protests have negatively impacted the ruling African National Congress's image and stability, with analysts suggesting the issue will remain a crisis for the government. The rand currency also suffered due to the unrest.

South Africa's Strategic Fuel Fund is looking to import 24 million barrels of oil annually from Iraq, marking the first potential crude imports from Baghdad in over a decade. The SFF's acting CEO, Sibusiso Gamede, stated that they have applied for an allocation with the Iraqi state-owned oil company SOMO and are awaiting a response. South Africa is diversifying its crude sources due to sanctions on Iran, its former top supplier. The largest black-owned petrochemical company in South Africa, WASSA, has also applied for Iraqi crude. Iraq's southern oil exports are expected to rise modestly in 2016, according to the head of the state-owned South Oil Company.

South Africa's renewable energy initiative, launched four years ago, has successfully added over 1,000 MW of power to its grid, reducing power outages and promoting economic growth. Industry experts at the SAIREC conference, including REN21's Christine Lins, highlighted South Africa as a model for other African countries, citing its stable regulation and infrastructure investment. Despite the continent's vast renewable resources, companies like juwi Renewable Energies emphasize the need for reliable policies to secure investments. Africa's regular power outages cost economies up to 2% of GDP, and electricity demand has increased by 80% since 2005.

South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) plans to initiate a strike in the coal sector after wage negotiations failed. The union, which had initially sought a 50% wage increase, is now demanding a 13% raise for its lowest-paid members. The Chamber of Mines, representing companies like Glencore, Anglo American Coal, and Exxaro, has offered an 8.5% increase. Eskom, the state utility, warns of potential power shortages if the strike extends beyond a month. The strike could involve around 30,000 workers, highlighting ongoing tensions over wages in South Africa's mining industry.

Sasol is planning to build a 3,000 megawatt gas-to-power facility in South Africa to mitigate the impact of falling oil prices. The company's full-year earnings dropped by 17 percent, and it reduced its dividend. Sasol is expanding its gas pipeline from South Africa to Mozambique, which will increase gas supply to the economy by early 2017. Despite cost-cutting measures, including job reductions and freezing vacancies, Sasol's shares fell by 0.8 percent. The company is focusing on conserving cash to support growth projects in southern Africa and the United States.

South Africa is considering increasing its nuclear power capacity beyond the planned 9,600 MW to reduce reliance on coal-fired power stations. The country faces electricity shortages due to aging coal plants, impacting the economy and investor confidence. The government is exploring various energy sources, including renewables, gas, and nuclear, with a target of 9,600 MW by 2030. The nuclear program could cost up to $100 billion, making it the largest infrastructure project in South Africa's history. Funding models are being developed by the Treasury, considering the current tight fiscal environment. Several countries, including China, France, Russia, the US, South Korea, Japan, and Canada, have shown interest in the project.

South Africa's immediate focus is on building more renewable power projects rather than nuclear expansion, according to Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Petterson. Despite plans to procure a nuclear fleet to generate 9,600 megawatts of power, no deals have been struck with any country. The government is working on a funding model for the nuclear build, with no rush to finalize it. Concerns have been raised about the transparency of the procurement process. The government is also addressing immediate energy shortages through renewable and gas power generation projects, although new renewable projects face challenges connecting to the grid.

South Africa's Justice Minister Michael Masutha is seeking legal advice on the parole board's decision to release Oscar Pistorius to house arrest after serving one-sixth of his five-year sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The decision has been contested by the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, which views the 10-month imprisonment as an insult to women. Pistorius, a former Paralympic gold medallist, was convicted of culpable homicide for shooting Steenkamp through a locked toilet door, believing she was an intruder.

South Africa's justice minister, Michael Masutha, is seeking legal advice on the parole board's decision to release Oscar Pistorius on house arrest after serving a sixth of his five-year sentence for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The decision follows a petition from the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, which argues that Pistorius' 10-month imprisonment is an insult to women. Pistorius, a former Paralympic gold medallist, is set to serve the remainder of his sentence at his uncle's mansion in Pretoria.

Oscar Pistorius will not be released on parole this Friday due to a legal error in the parole board's decision, according to South Africa's Justice Minister Michael Masutha. The decision shocked Pistorius' family, who were preparing for his homecoming. The parole board had prematurely decided on his release before he served the required sixth of his five-year sentence for killing Reeva Steenkamp. The case has been referred to the parole review board, which has 14 days to reconsider. The Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa had opposed his release, citing rule violations. Pistorius admitted to killing Steenkamp, but claimed he believed an intruder was behind the locked door.

Power cuts in 15 Sub-Saharan African countries are expected to become rare within a decade, with private investment, green energy initiatives, and cross-border energy trade driving a projected quadrupling of Africa's power generation capacity to 380 GW by 2040. PricewaterhouseCoopers' survey indicates a strong belief in increased private sector ownership and operation of power projects by 2025, despite current challenges such as regulatory issues and financing difficulties. The continent requires about $450 billion over the next 25 years to electrify all urban areas. PwC's Africa Power and Utility leader, Angeli Hoekstra, highlighted the potential for Africa to advance through cost reductions in green energy and the focus on security of supply and affordability.

Power cuts in 15 Sub-Saharan African countries could become rare within a decade, driven by increased private investment, green energy initiatives, and cross-border energy trade. Africa's power generation capacity is projected to quadruple by 2040, requiring $450 billion to electrify urban areas. Challenges include high project costs, regulatory barriers, and limited financing options. A PwC survey of 51 senior officials highlights optimism for private sector involvement and opportunities for advancements in green energy.

A South African judge dismissed corruption charges against Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters and former ANC member, citing excessive trial delays. The National Prosecuting Authority stated the dismissal was not an acquittal and charges could be reinstated. Malema, accused of fraud related to a government contract, claimed innocence and alleged government conspiracy. The outcome was seen as an embarrassment for the state by political analyst Nic Borain.

South Africa's government is reassessing its new travel regulations for minors, which require an unabridged birth certificate and other documents, due to negative impacts on the tourism industry as reported by tour operators and airlines. Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom noted cancellations and mentioned that Air China is reconsidering its flights to South Africa, citing visa requirements as one reason. The Department of Home Affairs introduced the rules to combat child trafficking, but the tourism sector, which contributes nearly a tenth to the GDP, is being affected.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma canceled a state visit to Indonesia to address anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, promising peace to displaced African immigrants in a televised speech. The violence, which started in Durban and spread to Johannesburg, has led to at least four deaths. Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, whose comments were linked to the unrest, attempted to defuse tensions. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, on behalf of the Southern African Development Community and African Union, condemned the attacks. Governments of Zimbabwe and Malawi have begun bussing their nationals back home.

South African President Jacob Zuma canceled a state visit to Indonesia to address anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, promising peace to displaced immigrants. The violence, which began in Durban and spread to Johannesburg, has led to thousands seeking refuge in camps. Zimbabwe and Malawi have started repatriating their nationals. The unrest was reportedly incited by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini's comments, which he later claimed were misinterpreted. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe condemned the attacks, expressing shock and disgust.

South Africa's main trade union federation, COSATU, expelled its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, a prominent critic of President Jacob Zuma and the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The expulsion follows Vavi's refusal to attend COSATU meetings and endorse the expulsion of NUMSA, the federation's largest affiliate. Analysts suggest Vavi may join NUMSA to form an alternative workers' movement, potentially challenging COSATU's dominance and impacting the ANC at the polls. The expulsion highlights internal divisions within COSATU, which some believe could lead to its collapse.

Striking workers at South Africa's Medupi power plant, under construction by state-owned utility Eskom, have caused property damage, leading to the site's closure for damage assessment. The Medupi coal plant, which is crucial for addressing the country's power shortage, has faced increased costs due to labor disruptions and technical faults. About 21,000 contract workers went on strike over poor living conditions and pay. Eskom is also dealing with a leadership crisis, with senior executives suspended and its chairman facing a potential no-confidence vote. The power outages in South Africa are expected to last two years, and Eskom's credit status was downgraded to junk by Standard and Poor's.

South Africa is experiencing rolling blackouts due to Eskom's deteriorating infrastructure, with the state power firm warning of increasing outages. The government is developing a financing plan, with details expected in the upcoming budget. The blackouts have significant societal and economic impacts, including increased crime and business closures. Eskom has emergency

Harmony Gold reported a reduced quarterly loss of 226 million rand and a 6 percent output increase, but faces challenges including illegal miners at Kusasalethu mine, safety concerns, and labor violence. CEO Graham Briggs indicated potential job cuts due to 50 percent of costs being labor-related. The company is also considering acquisitions as other producers sell assets amid falling gold prices. An update on the Golpu project in Papua New Guinea is expected in December, with anticipated lower capital expenditure than the initial $6 billion estimate, to be shared with Newcrest Mining.