PRETORIA – President Jacob Zuma has defended his appointment of Des Van Rooyen as finance minister, saying he was the most qualified minister he has ever appointed to hold that portfolio.

The president was speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Press Corps (PPC) in Pretoria today, where he committed to have regular and candid briefings with the media.

Zuma touched on several topics including his recent international engagements and the budget which will be delivered later this week.
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https://youtu.be/B8WGnkakDf8

MAHIKENG – Eighteen-year-old Thuto Gaasenwe shares her heartfelt ‘Dear Mr President’ poem on social media, addressing an issue that many are too afraid to voice or add their opinion to.

The teen’s letter to President Jacob Zuma, carried within a poem  has gained respect and traction, with more than 338,000 views on Facebook and more than 14,000 shares.

* Watch, and listen to her recital in YouTube video in the gallery above.

– YouTube

Courtsey: EnCA

The City of Tshwane cut the power supply to Hartbeespoort today after the Madibeng municipality failed to pay its debt of almost R10 million.

The power was restored a few hours later after the Madibeng municipality paid R4 million of the R9.6 million owed to Tshwane.

Eskom has also threatened to partially cut the electricity supply to the Madibeng municipality by the end of the week if the municipality’s bill of R22 million is not settled. The Madibeng municipality announced last week that it has made arrangements with Eskom to pay up the R22 million owed by the end of February to prevent the utility from interrupting the electricity supply to the area.

The Madibeng Municipality currently owes Eskom R22 721 015.14, part of which has been outstanding since October 2014. Eskom supplies Brits and surrounding areas with electricity while the City of Tshwane supplies Hartbeespoort and surrounding areas.

In November 2014 Hartbeespoort was also left in the dark because of Madibeng’s failure to pay its debt of more than R48 million. It was restored after Madibeng made a payment of R15.2m for bulk services supplied by the city.

Courtsey:   http://kormorant.co.za/19872/electricity-supply-to-hartbeespoort-cut-madibeng-owes-r10m/