South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 23 March

It feels like we’ve got a long day, week, month and possibly year ahead of us. Monday will see President Cyril Ramaphosa deliver his much-anticipated update on the coronavirus, which was postponed yesterday. We’ve also got the latest on the measures to sanitise business, and a load shedding forecast:

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Monday 23 March

Coronavirus in South Africa: Latest numbers

South Africa has 274 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Sunday, up by 34 in one day. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) – a division of the National Health Laboratory Service – said it continued to monitor Covid-19 trends and transmission rates. 

When will Cyril Ramaphosa address the nation on Monday? 

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s much-awaited address to the nation regarding coronavirus (Covid-19) was on Sunday evening deferred to Monday, as his meeting with the National Command Council at the Union Buildings in Pretoria took longer than expected. 

After 19:00, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu emerged with Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko to address waiting journalists at the seat of the South African government. 

Mthembu said deliberations were underway at Union Buildings to review if the numerous multi-pronged interventions introduced by government are actually working to curb the spread of coronavirus. 

ACDP leader gets tested for coronavirus – sparking health concerns for Ramaphosa

The Presidency in South Africa on Sunday welcomed the announcement by opposition leader, Reverend Kenneth Meshoe of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) who revealed that he has been tested for the coronavirus (Covid-19). 

“At this point in time there is no cause for concern about the president’s health or reason for the president to be tested”, the statement read – this, after Meshoe had met with Ramaphosa earlier this week.

Load shedding forecast for the week

No loadshedding was expected this week, but South African power utility, Eskom, warned on Sunday that the possibility that loadshedding may be implemented remained high.

“Eskom does not expect to implement loadshedding during the week, but the possibility that loadshedding may be implemented remains. The system remains constrained and vulnerable,” Eskom said in a statement.

A gift from our Chinese workers

Chinese entities operating in South Africa have donated at least R3 million towards the southern African nation’s fight against coronavirus (Covid-19).

In addition, the Chinese enterprises have provided testing reagents to South Africa. Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Lin Songtian said his government will provide 5,000 additional testing reagents to South Africa.

Keeping taxis clean 

Western Cape Transport and Public Works member of the executive council (MEC), Bonginkosi Madikizela, will visits Cape Town and George to implement safety measures at taxi ranks and bus depots. Madikizela and SANTACO will launch the cleaning and sanitisation campaign at the Cape Town taxi rank in the CBD.

Latest weather forecast, Monday 23 March

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

Live traffic updates for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

Horoscope today

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Monday 23 March.