Making headlines: New SABC board chair shrugs off 'exaggerated' Zuma links; Cabinet replaces Zuma ally as head of SAA; And, Sassa offers Post Office deal to pay social grants

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

New SABC board chair shrugs off 'exaggerated' Zuma links

New South African Broadcasting Corporation board chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini has shrugged off, what he terms, "exaggerated" perceptions of political links to President Jacob Zuma.

Makhathini was appointed SABC board chairperson on Tuesday by Zuma, more than a month after Parliament's approval of candidates.

He was one of 11 candidates appointed to non-executive board positions, with Febe Potgieter-Gqubule serving as deputy chairperson.

Speaking to News24 on Wednesday, Makhathini was quick to dismiss concerns many in the public had raised, after learning he also served part-time as chairperson of the Bongi Ngema-Zuma Foundation, whose patron is one of Zuma's wives.

Cabinet replaces Zuma ally as head of SAA

South Africa's government has named Johannes Bhekumuzi Magwaza as chairperson of loss-making State-owned airline South African Airways, replacing Dudu Myeni, who was an ally of President Jacob Zuma.

No reason was given for the move. Neither the airline nor the South African government could immediately be reached for comment.

Myeni had been reappointed in September 2016 for a year, alongside 11 other board members.

According to the broadcaster, Zuma's Cabinet approved a new board for the cash-strapped national airline. Five other board members were replaced alongside Myeni.

Magwaza, also known as "JB," will be joined by Nolitha Fakude as deputy chairperson, Ahmed Bassa, Tinyiko Mhlari, Martin Kingston and Geoff Rothschild.

And, Sassa offers Post Office deal to pay social grants

The South African Social Security Agency has given an offer to the South African Post Office to take over the payment of social grants.

The offer follows talks between the two entities in what has been described as a "closed procurement process", the department of social development announced late on Thursday.

The announcement follows the agency missing a key parliamentary briefing to update MPs about its plans to terminate the relationship with CPS.

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini promised that a social grants distribution agreement would be signed by September 20, yet declined to appear before Parliament to explain why the deadline was missed.

Also making headlines:
Report says Mugabe honoured by youths in Russia

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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