Repo rate cut in the offing

Five things you need to know about SA today

1. The Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee will say on Thursday if we’re going to have another rate cut. The repo rate is at 9.5% at the moment. See the Business Report story here.

2. A scary new flu called swine flu has crossed from North America to Europe and we all know that, with global travel, these things can move around the world very easily. What the hell is it? Go to MDWeb for their comprehensive FAQ.

3. Now that the elections are over, everyone is specualting who will make Jacob Zuma’s cabinet. The Sunday Times’s predictions included BEE businessman Tokyo Sexwale and Trevor Manuel being part of a powerful new planning commission located in the presidency. Read the Sunday Times story here. IOL says that SA Revenue Services Commissioner Pravin Gordhan is tipped to succeed Manuel as finance minister. Read the IOL story here. The interesting thing about these predictions, of course, is that very few of the newspapers have good contacts in the Zuma camp so we’ll see what comes of it.

4. Talking of predictions, Thought Leader has an interesting blog on how Business Day’s The Weekender got it so wrong in a story on the DA forming a coalition to govern the Western Cape. Read Tony Lankester’s blog here.

5. And if you’re wondering, how it all plays out from here, here’s a handy timeline:

May 6: The first sitting of Parliament

May 9: The inauguration of Jacob Zuma as the new president, after which he is expected to announce the new cabinet soon.

June 3: State of the nation address