Transnet’s freight rail monopoly is about to end following the publication of a rail network statement that allows private operators access to South Africa’s nearly 21 000km rail network. 

Guest: Jan Havenga. Emeritus Professor at Industrial Engineering, stellenbosch university and Director of the Gain Group. 

Transnet&rsquo;s freight rail monopoly is about to end following the publication of a rail network statement that allows private operators access to South Africa&rsquo;s nearly 21 000km rail network.&nbsp;
Guest: Jan Havenga. Emeritus Professor at Industrial Engineering, stellenbosch university and Director of the Gain Group.&nbsp;

THE MORNING BRIEF

Transnet’s freight rail monopoly is about to end following the publication of a rail network statement that allows private operators access to South Africa’s nearly 21 000km rail network. 

 

 

Guest: JP Smith: MMC for Safety and Security, City of Cape Town

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Guest: JP Smith: MMC for Safety and Security, City of Cape Town

Easter rush hits Cape Town: What safety and security measures has the city put in place?

 

 

Guest: Thembisa Fakude: Director at Africa Asia Dialogues

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Guest: Thembisa Fakude: Director at Africa Asia Dialogues

 In a rare and significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud arrived in Tehran on Thursday, marking the first visit by a senior Saudi royal to Iran in nearly three decades.

 

 

18 April 2025

1.    Nigeria – South Afrika

Nigeria, South Africa sign pact on mining development

Nigeria and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen bilateral cooperation in the mining sector.

The agreement marks a major step in the implementation of agreements reached under the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission.

 

2.    USA- Ivory Coast

In Ivory Coast, the world's largest cocoa producer, farmers worry over new US tariffs

Cocoa bean plantations guarantee the livelihoods of almost the entire village of N'gattakro in central Ivory Coast. And the "brown gold" as cocoa gets called in Ivory Coast, is not only crucial for survival in this village: an estimated 6 million people in the country rely on farming and harvesting cocoa for their livelihoods.

 

3.Tanzania- South Afrika- Malawi

Tanzania threatens agricultural trade sanctions against South Africa and Malawi

Tanzania has issued a stark ultimatum to South Africa and Malawi, indicating that trade barriers will be imposed on agricultural imports if the two nations do not lift their current restrictions on shipments coming from the East African country.

 

4.    South Sudan – United Nations Security Council

The top United Nations official in South Sudan urged the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday to use its clout to prevent the world’s newest nation from again plunging into civil war.

 

 
In our historical archives, it was on this day 18 April 1905 when Enoch Mankayi Sontonga, writer and composer of the National Anthem Nkosi Sikelel' IAfrica (God Bless Africa) died at the age of thirty-two.

&nbsp;
&nbsp;
18 April 2025
1.&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Nigeria &ndash; South Afrika
Nigeria, South Africa sign pact on mining development
Nigeria and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen bilateral cooperation in the mining sector.
The agreement marks a major step in the implementation of agreements reached under the Nigeria&ndash;South Africa Bi-National Commission.
&nbsp;
2.&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;USA- Ivory Coast
In Ivory Coast, the world's largest cocoa producer, farmers worry over new US tariffs
Cocoa bean plantations guarantee the livelihoods of almost the entire village of N'gattakro in central Ivory Coast. And the "brown gold" as cocoa gets called in Ivory Coast, is not only crucial for survival in this village: an estimated 6 million people in the country rely on farming and harvesting cocoa for their livelihoods.
&nbsp;
3.Tanzania- South Afrika- Malawi
Tanzania threatens agricultural trade sanctions against South Africa and Malawi
Tanzania has issued a stark ultimatum to South Africa and Malawi, indicating that trade barriers will be imposed on agricultural imports if the two nations do not lift their current restrictions on shipments coming from the East African country.
&nbsp;
4.&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;South Sudan &ndash; United Nations Security Council
The top United Nations official in South Sudan urged the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday to use its clout to prevent the world&rsquo;s newest nation from again plunging into civil war.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>In our historical archives, it was on this day 18 April 1905 when Enoch Mankayi Sontonga, writer and composer of the National Anthem Nkosi Sikelel' IAfrica (God Bless Africa) died at the age of thirty-two.</li>
</ol>

Transnet’s freight rail monopoly is about to end following the publication of a rail network statement that allows private operators access to South Africa’s nearly 21 000km rail network.

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