15 February saw the South African Parliament’s voting in of Cyril Ramaphosa as the country’s new President. This, after Jacob Zuma scheduled a press conference late on Wednesday to announce his resignation, stating that while he disagrees with the ANC’s decision to force him out, he will not defy the party he has been a member of for so many years.
Opposition parties wished their new leader well, but cautioned that Ramaphosa has a tough job ahead of him, in reunifying the nation, and rectifying the numerous problems they believe were brought about during Zuma’s tenure.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng presided over the vote. Ramaphosa was the only MP nominated.
South Africa’s new President is no stranger to political leadership positions. Aside from being the country’s Deputy President since 2014, Ramaphosa was the Deputy President of the ANC from 2012 to 2017; and its Secretary General from 1991 to 1997. He also acted as his party’s Chief Negotiator during South Africa’s transition to democracy. Despite being former President Nelson Mandela’s choice for his successor, the ANC put forward Thabo Mbeki instead.
The ruling African National Congress announced Cyril Ramaphosa as its new President in December 2017.
Outside of politics, Ramaphosa has many other bold achievements, including building up the most powerful trade union in South Africa; the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). The President has also built a name for himself in the business world. Having held notable ownership in companies such as McDonald’s South Africa; and being chair of the board for cellular operator MTN, and member of the board for mining company Lonmin, Ramaphosa has amassed a net worth of over $450 million.
The President’s wife, and the new First Lady of South Africa, Tshepo Motsepe, is a medical doctor, having worked over the years in both public and private practice. She has served as Non-executive director of the Wits Health Consortium, and as a board member of both the Vaal Reefs Disaster Trust and the Kids Haven Foundation. She is currently the chairperson of the African Self Help Trust, which focuses on Early Childhood Development and Education.
Tshepo is the sister of South African businessman Patrice Motsepe, one of the wealthiest Africans, who is the founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, which has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum. The First Lady is also the sister of mining businesswoman Bridgette Radebe, who is married to Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe.
The rand has strengthened since Ramaphosa’s taking the helms, and a strengthened economy and renewed foreign investment in South Africa are expected in the coming months.
The first major test for the new President will be in seeing who he retains and who he replaces in his new cabinet. He is facing increasing pressure from both opposition parties and his own party to fire certain ministers who are seen as incompetent, as soon as possible. These include Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba, as well as Des Van Rooyan, Faith Muthambi, Bathabile Dlamini, David Mahlobo, and Mosebenzi Zwane. Also among those Ramaphosa is being pressured to replace is Director of the National Prosecuting Authority Shaun Abrahams, who is currently overseeing the process of deciding whether hundreds of corruption charges will be brought against Jacob Zuma.
President Ramaphosa is set to deliver his first State of the Nation (SONA) address tonight.
This will be followed by the SONA debate on Monday 19 February, and the 2018 Budget Speech on Wednesday 21 February.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]. Image sources: Government Communication and Information System [1], African National Congress [2].
Radisson Blu Hotels Aiming for 40 Locations in Nigeria
Upscale international hotel chain Radisson Blu aims to have 40 locations in Nigeria.
Radisson Blu operates as part of the Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, headquartered in Minnesota, USA. The Radisson Blu brand has the largest pipeline of hotel rooms in Africa, according to a study prepared by W-Hospitality.
In a recent interview, William McIntyre, a Radisson Group regional director, said that the Radisson Blu brand is the fastest expanding hotel brand in Africa, and that the group currently has 85 hotels in Africa, either open or under development. McIntyre noted the significance of Nigeria, with its being the largest market on the continent and presenting an opportunity for large-scale expansion of Radisson operations.
Radisson has 9 hotels in Nigeria, with a long-term goal of having 40 operating simultaneously throughout the country. The group is operating in Abeokuta and Lagos, and has signed deals in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Abeokuta.
In terms of security, the group has a strong safety and security team, and multiple measures in place to detect, avoid, and manage various crisis instances, with regular training for the broader teams, and, most importantly, the hotel staff.
McIntyre said the group has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, is always willing to be flexible, and is an ideal fit for Nigeria. When asked what Radisson Blu’s unique selling point was, McIntyre said the group’s hotels are sophisticated, iconic and stylish, and that customer’s needs are anticipated. He further said that guests are engaged with on a personal level, and are provided with an experience that leaves them with more memorable moments in contrast to competitors. Finally, McIntyre said that the group makes its relationships with its stakeholders – from guests, to owners, to customers, to suppliers – its priority.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Source: [1], [2], [3], [4]. Image source: [1].
South Africa Has a New President
15 February saw the South African Parliament’s voting in of Cyril Ramaphosa as the country’s new President. This, after Jacob Zuma scheduled a press conference late on Wednesday to announce his resignation, stating that while he disagrees with the ANC’s decision to force him out, he will not defy the party he has been a member of for so many years.
Opposition parties wished their new leader well, but cautioned that Ramaphosa has a tough job ahead of him, in reunifying the nation, and rectifying the numerous problems they believe were brought about during Zuma’s tenure.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng presided over the vote. Ramaphosa was the only MP nominated.
South Africa’s new President is no stranger to political leadership positions. Aside from being the country’s Deputy President since 2014, Ramaphosa was the Deputy President of the ANC from 2012 to 2017; and its Secretary General from 1991 to 1997. He also acted as his party’s Chief Negotiator during South Africa’s transition to democracy. Despite being former President Nelson Mandela’s choice for his successor, the ANC put forward Thabo Mbeki instead.
The ruling African National Congress announced Cyril Ramaphosa as its new President in December 2017.
Outside of politics, Ramaphosa has many other bold achievements, including building up the most powerful trade union in South Africa; the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). The President has also built a name for himself in the business world. Having held notable ownership in companies such as McDonald’s South Africa; and being chair of the board for cellular operator MTN, and member of the board for mining company Lonmin, Ramaphosa has amassed a net worth of over $450 million.
The President’s wife, and the new First Lady of South Africa, Tshepo Motsepe, is a medical doctor, having worked over the years in both public and private practice. She has served as Non-executive director of the Wits Health Consortium, and as a board member of both the Vaal Reefs Disaster Trust and the Kids Haven Foundation. She is currently the chairperson of the African Self Help Trust, which focuses on Early Childhood Development and Education.
Tshepo is the sister of South African businessman Patrice Motsepe, one of the wealthiest Africans, who is the founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, which has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum. The First Lady is also the sister of mining businesswoman Bridgette Radebe, who is married to Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe.
The rand has strengthened since Ramaphosa’s taking the helms, and a strengthened economy and renewed foreign investment in South Africa are expected in the coming months.
The first major test for the new President will be in seeing who he retains and who he replaces in his new cabinet. He is facing increasing pressure from both opposition parties and his own party to fire certain ministers who are seen as incompetent, as soon as possible. These include Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba, as well as Des Van Rooyan, Faith Muthambi, Bathabile Dlamini, David Mahlobo, and Mosebenzi Zwane. Also among those Ramaphosa is being pressured to replace is Director of the National Prosecuting Authority Shaun Abrahams, who is currently overseeing the process of deciding whether hundreds of corruption charges will be brought against Jacob Zuma.
President Ramaphosa is set to deliver his first State of the Nation (SONA) address tonight.
This will be followed by the SONA debate on Monday 19 February, and the 2018 Budget Speech on Wednesday 21 February.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]. Image sources: Government Communication and Information System [1], African National Congress [2].
Immigration changes in Ghana and Nigeria
GHANA | Recent Announcement Requires Medical Certificates to Be Obtained In-Country
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) recently posted a brief announcement of a new policy – purportedly with an effective date of February 15 – requiring all new applicants for work and residence permits to obtain medical certificates only through the GIS medical facility at its headquarters in Ghana. Previously, medical certificates in support of a work permit applications could be issued by a local doctor in the applicant’s home country.
The practical implication of the announcement and new policy is somewhat unclear, as work permit applications are typically made before the applicant travels to Ghana. If this new policy is implemented, it will have significant impact for the work permit application process. Immigration Specialists in Ghana are struggling to sort-out the new policy; however, thus far, the GIS has released no further guidance.
NIGERIA | New Executive Order Imposes Tougher Local Hiring Measures
On February 2, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari signed an executive order (EO5) aimed at promoting local Nigerian expertise in science, engineering, and technology. EO5 prohibits the federal Ministry of Interior (FMI) from issuing visas to foreign workers whose skills are deemed to be readily available in Nigeria. Consideration of work visas will only be given to foreign nationals where has been certified by the appropriate governmental authority that such expertise is not available in Nigeria. Under the order, Nigerian government agencies must also give hiring preference to foreign companies and firms with demonstrable and verifiable plans for indigenous development.
While further guidelines and directives on the implementation of EO5 are expected from the authorities, the executive order is expected to have significant impact on the employment-based immigration of foreign nationals, especially in fields of science, engineering, and technology. Companies hiring foreign workers should expect more rigorous scrutiny of applications for expatriate quotas and the stricter application of requirements such as the understudies requirement, registration with professional bodies, and more onsite visits and audits by Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Source
ANC Leaders Recalled Zuma. The President Refused To Go.
After a 13-hour meeting that stretched from yesterday into the early hours of this morning, the six seniormost leaders of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to instruct South African President Jacob Zuma to resign immediately.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and Secretary General Ace Magashule then drove to Zuma’s official residence in Pretoria to give him an ultimatum to resign or face a recall. The President refused to resign.
Zuma is said to have demanded to stay on at the Union Buildings for another three months, to attend at least two upcoming events. The NEC rejected his conditions.
Now, it is up to Parliament to remove the President by means of a motion of no confidence vote. The EFF, an opposition party, has tabled such a vote, and requested that Speaker Baleka Mbete inform the public of a date for the vote by 10am today. A majority ‘leave’ vote would be required out of all Members of Parliament to remove the President.
Zuma is facing over 700 corruption charges, with an imminent announcement by Shaun Abrahams, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, as to whether the President will be prosecuted.
In light of recent developments – with growing economic uncertainty, political instability, and pressure from the public – those on the NEC who do not persist with support for Zuma are eager to resolve the matter of his exit. Doing so would boost investor confidence, stabilize Parliament, allow for the 2018 State of the Nation Address to take place, and give SA citizens the sense of relief they deserve after a number of tumultuous years.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image source: [1].