SA's Swazi Tshabalala loses out on AfDB presidency to Mauritanian Sidi Ould Tah
Tah previously served as director-general for the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. He also served as an expert at the Mauritanian Bank for Development and Commerce between 1984 and 1986, then as a financial analyst at the Food Security Commission in 1986.
He also worked as a financial analyst at the Khartoum-based Arab Authority for Agriculture, Investment and Development between 1996 and 1999. Thereafter, he served as investment promotion officer and then technical assistant to the president of the Islamic Development Bank.
He was the adviser to Mauritania's president and prime minister, respectively, in 2006 and 2008. In 2008, he was nominated and appointed as Mauritanian minister of economy and finance.
Tshabalala joined AfDB in 2018 after she was appointed as vice president of finance and CFO. She previously served as a finance manager at Standard Bank Group and as group treasurer at Transnet.
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana previously commended Tshabalala for her contribution and commitment to achieving the AfDB's vital goal of increasing investment in the continent.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Maverick
10 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Member of Irish rap group Kneecap appears at UK court on terrorism charge
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who was initially charged under the Anglicised name Liam O'Hanna and whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the yellow flag of Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London on November 21, 2024. Ó hAnnaidh is accused of holding up a Hezbollah flag on stage while saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. Kneecap have previously said the flag was thrown on stage during their performance. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Ó hAnnaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday wearing the keffiyeh scarf associated with the Palestinian cause and sat alongside an Irish language interpreter. His bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin, stage name Móglaí Bap, and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, who goes by DJ Próvaí, were also in court, with supporters filling the court's public gallery. His lawyers say the charge was brought too late and the prosecution should be thrown out, as Ó hAnnaidh was charged on May 22 this year – one day after the six-month limit for such charges. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove, however, argued that Ó hAnnaidh was charged on May 21, exactly within the time limit. Judge Paul Goldspring is expected to issue a ruling later on Wednesday. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been tossed onto the stage and described the charge as an attempt to silence them. The group – who rap about Irish identity and support the republican cause of uniting Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland – have been increasingly vocal about the war in Gaza since Ó hAnnaidh was charged. Kneecap led a 30,000-strong crowd at the Glastonbury Festival in June in chants against Prime Minister Keir Starmer and accused Israel of committing war crimes in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, an accusation Israel denies.


The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Tata names four initial products heading its return to South Africa
Brand will relaunch on 1 September with 40 dealers. An additional 20 will be added throughout 2026. Its return to South Africa after a six-year absence announced last month, JLR parent company, Tata, has officially named the product line-up it will, initially, resume operations with from next month. Partnering with Motus Reviving only its passenger vehicle division as its truck and bus operations never departed the country, the Mumbai-based automaker will have its products sold by the Motus Group from 40 dealers under the name Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. By end 2026, an additional 20 dealers will look to be added, as well as more still be announced products. ALSO READ: We reveal Tata models that will showcase brand's Mzansi return 'Our return to South Africa marks a significant milestone in Tata Motors' global journey. We are excited to bring our new-generation of vehicles – designed with cutting-edge technology, uncompromising safety, and modern design – to a market that values quality and innovation,' Tata Managing Director, Shailesh Chandra, said at the launch held in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening (19 August). 'With Motus as our preferred partner, we are confident in delivering a superior ownership experience that resonates with South African consumers and contributes meaningfully to the local economy'. Models Describing its product portfolio as 'marking the beginning of a new era for the company', the brand will bring four products to South Africa, a five-door hatch, two crossover SUVs and one compact SUV, priced from a reported R200 000 to R600 000. Tiago Opening the range, the Tiago will serve as the hatch offering and rival for the Suzuki Celerio/Toyota Vitz, Hyundai Grand i10, Kia Picanto and to a probable extent, the locally made Volkswagen Polo Vivo. The replacement for the Bolt that had been Tata's starting model before its withdrawal, the Tiago arrives on the back after undergoing its second facelift in January this year as sales in India have been taking place since 2016. Tiago will serve as Tata's only hatch and opening product model. Image: Tata India Based on Tata's X1 platform, the Tiago measures 3 767 mm long, 1 677 mm wide and 1 537 mm tall with its wheelbase length being 2 400 mm. Although powered by petrol and diesel engines in its home market, for South Africa, only the former has been approved, namely the 1.2-litre three-cylinder Revotron that powered by the Bolt, though in the case of the Taigo, without the turbocharger. Standard is a 10.25-inch infotainment system and physical switchgear. Image: Tata India Producing 63kW/113Nm, the unit will be paired either to a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automated manual. Set to be offered in four trim grades, neither divulged, confirmed specification items comprise dual front airbags, a reverse camera, wireless smartphone charger, a cooled glovebox, ABS and EBD and a seven-inch or 10.25-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Punch Introduced four years ago, the Punch opens Tata's crossover range. Punch will open Tata's SUV/crossover range. Image: Tata India A runaway success since its market debut, the Punch rides on Tata's Arc platform, with dimensions of 3 800 mm, a wheelbase of 2 445 mm, height of 1 615 mm and width of 1 742 mm. The same underpinnings as the Altroz hatch, the Punch also uses the Revotron engine, but with slightly more power and torque at 65kW/115Nm. Sending this to the front wheels is the same transmission options as the Tiago. Buyers will have a choice of two infotainment sizes. Image: Tata India In terms of features, the Punch will be equipped with a seven or 10.25-inch infotainment system, cruise control, a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual front airbags, ABS and EBD, and a reverse camera. Curvv Revealed as Tata's newest product in its Indian line-up last year at the Delhi Auto Expo, the coupe-styled Curvv will become its mid-range model in South Africa, measuring 4 308 mm, 1 810 mm wide and 1 630 mm tall. Riding on a 2 560 mm long wheelbase, the Curvv will derive motivation from the updated 1.2-litre Revotron called Hyperion, and in turbocharged form only as no normally aspirated option is available. Curvv's rear design has seemingly been derived from the BMW X6. Image: Tata India Producing 88kW/170Nm, the three-pot will be paired either to a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch. As with the Punch, Tata won't be offering the Curvv with its 1.5-litre Revotorq turbodiesel in South Africa. Interior is headlined by a 10.25-inch infotainment display. Image: Tata India Noted specification will comprise the same infotainment options as the Punch, ABS, EBD and Electronic Stability Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Blind Spot Monitoring, voice recognition, a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Harrier Positioned as Tata's flagship, the Harrier will be the sole turbodiesel offering, but without four-wheel drive as drive is routed to the front wheels only. Revealed in 2018 as the step-down from the Safari, which had been expected to be one of the models heading the return, the Harrier provides seating for five and underneath, uses the same D8 platform as the Range Rover Evoque and 'Land Rover' Discovery Sport. Measuring 4 605 mm long, 1 922 mm wide, 1 718 mm high and 2 741 mm long on the wheelbase front, propulsion comes from Tata's 2.0-litre Kryotec mill, which is based on Fiat's Mulijet as part of a long-standing licence agreement between the two brands. Harrier will be Tata's flagship model and SUV initially. Image: Tata India In India, the unit is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic, though it remains unknown whether both will be sold locally. Updated two years ago, the Harrier's spec sheet will include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree surround-view camera and a 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch infotainment display. Furthering the list are dual-zone climate control, a cooled glovebox, ventilated front seats, hands-free electric tailgate, a Terrain Mode selector, six airbags and up to 20 safety and driver assistance systems. More soon Though not expected to be present at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring at the end of this month, more details regarding and pricing will be made once sales commence on 1 September. NOW READ: On the comeback: Tata announces return to South Africa

IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
PASA backs initiative to increase digital payment adoption in South Africa
The Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) said consumers should be encouraged to use digital payments instead of using cash. Image: Unsplash The Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) has thrown its weight behind the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) push to modernise the country's payments ecosystem, saying the effort is crucial for financial inclusivity and long-term economic growth. PASA said its mandate is closely aligned with the SARB's Payments Ecosystem Modernisation (PEM) project, which aims to reduce reliance on cash and expand access to affordable, digital transactions. 'Payment system modernisation is an ongoing process: the same way that roads and rails must be maintained, the core infrastructure enabling the safe movement of money must be refreshed,' PASA said. The association said since 2006 it has played a central role in overhauling South Africa's National Payments System. This includes the introduction of the country's first real-time payments platform, the phasing out of cheques, and most recently the roll-out of PayShap, designed to enable low-cost instant payments between consumers and businesses. Another system in use that the association was involved in is DebiCheck, a system aimed at protecting consumers from unauthorised debit orders, while finalising the migration of fleet cards to chip technology to strengthen security. PASA acknowledged that a key challenge is ensuring access for consumers without smartphones or traditional banking services. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'We would prefer that consumers use digital payments rather than rely on cash withdrawals. PayShap was envisaged with that as the ultimate goal, but PASA has also been instrumental in developing a QR code standard to enable non-smartphone acceptance, and supporting USSD-based solutions that work on any mobile phone.' These interventions come in response to SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago's warning at the Bank's 105th annual Ordinary General Meeting earlier this month that South Africa is lagging behind international peers. 'In countries such as Brazil, digital retail payments have spread rapidly across society,' Kganyago said. 'Meanwhile, here in South Africa, cash, a technology that is literally centuries old remains the single most popular form of payment.' He said the SARB is working with the private sector to deliver 'cheap, safe, and fast digital payments' accessible to all South Africans, while also engaging with other central banks in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to improve the efficiency and affordability of cross-border payments. Commercial banks say they have a vital role to play in this transformation. Brad Gillis, Head of Payments at Standard Bank Africa Regions, said last year that the modernisation of payments would 'spark growth and inclusivity' across the continent. He noted that mobile and digital transactions are on the rise, with African e-payments expected to grow 20% annually to reach about $40 billion by 2025. However, he warned that regulatory fragmentation, uneven infrastructure readiness, and lack of interoperability remain major barriers. THE MERCURY